seigniory

American  

[seen-yuh-ree] / ˈsin yə ri /

Or signory

noun

plural

seigniories

1. the power or authority of a seignior.

2. History/Historical. a lord's domain.

---

seigniory British  

/ ˈseɪnjərɪ, ˈsiːnjərɪ /

noun

1. less common names for a seigneury

2. (in England) the fee or manor of a seignior; a feudal domain

3. the authority of a seignior or the relationship between him and his tenants

4. a body of lords

---

Etymology

Origin of seigniory

1250–1300; Middle English seignorie < Old French; see seigneur, -y ³

Example Sentences

Deported to Germany from his Nazi-occupied feudal seigniory in the English Channel was U.S.-born Robert Woodward Hathaway, Seigneur of Sark by his 1929 marriage to the Dame of Sark.

From Time Magazine Archive

One of the properties on which he wanted the public to lend him $35,500,000 was St. Donat's Castle in Wales, the Lord of San Simeon's European seigniory.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bk Of Berthier, forms a volunteer company, from inhabitants of his seigniory, 95; an intimate friend of Brock, 95; his zeal appreciated by Sir James Craig, 96.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various

In 1675 sold out his rights at Cataraqui to La Salle; and four years later acquired the seigniory of Senneville.

From The Makers of Canada: Index and Dictionary of Canadian History by Various

A royal seigniory, lost on the confines of Gaul, it has not yet suffered from the disasters of war that for more than a half century have been desolating the center of the country.

From The Executioner's Knife Or Joan of Arc by Sue, Eug?ne