count palatine

noun

, plural counts palatine.

1. (formerly, in Germany) a count having jurisdiction in his fief or province.
2. Also called earl palatine. English History. an earl or other county proprietor who exercised royal prerogatives within his county.

count palatine

noun

1. in the Holy Roman Empire
   1. originally an official who administered the king's domains or his justice
   2. later, a count who exercised royal authority in his own domains
2. (in England and Ireland) an earl or other lord of a county palatine
3. (in the late Roman Empire) a palace official who exercised judicial authority

Word History and Origins

Origin of count palatine¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

The book was spectacularly ill timed, although it earned Apian a position as court astronomer to Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire and eventually the title of imperial count palatine.

From New York Times

About this time he received from his brother Louis the Saxon palatinate, over which he strengthened his authority by marrying Sophia, sister of Adalbert, count of Sommerschenburg, a former count palatine.

From Project Gutenberg

The king of Bohemia was designated as cupbearer, the margrave of Brandenburg as chamberlain, the count palatine as seneschal, and the duke of Saxony as marshal.

From Project Gutenberg

The Elector of Heidelberg, the other counts palatine, the ecclesiastical electors, all of them in their state carriages, attended on him when he went to church.

From Project Gutenberg

The emperors, too, continued to make counts palatine under this title long after the Lateran had ceased to be an imperial palace.

From Project Gutenberg