county palatine

noun

, plural counties palatine.

1. the territory under the jurisdiction of a count palatine.

county palatine

noun

1. the lands of a count palatine
2. (in England and Ireland) a county in which the earl or other lord exercised many royal powers, esp judicial authority

Word History and Origins

Origin of county palatine¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

On the erection of Cheshire to a county palatine after the Conquest, Chester became the seat of government of the palatine earls.

From Project Gutenberg

No shire court was ever held for the county, but as a duchy and county palatine it has its own special courts.

From Project Gutenberg

The office of chancellor of the duchy and county palatine dates back to 1351.

From Project Gutenberg

It is attached to the duchy of Lancaster, a crown office, and retains the chancery court for the county palatine.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a county palatine, and had jura regalia, before this erection of it into a principality.

From Project Gutenberg