[f. CHIEF sb. + -DOM.] The estate, position or dominion of a chief; headship, leadership, chief place.
1579. E. K., Gloss. Spenser’s Sheph. Cal., April. The chiefdome and soveraintie of all flowers and greene hearbes.
1601. Deacon & Walker, Answ. Darel, 146. They haue a superioritie and chiefdome ouer the kingdomes of the world committed vnto them.
1656. S. H., Gold. Law, To Rdr. 2. I … aimed both at Reason and Rhethorick; but principally the first, as first in worth and chiefdom.
1860. Forster, Gr. Remonstr., 64. The sway of a feudal chiefdom … was ending.
1862. Merivale, Rom. Emp. (1865), VI. xlix. 117. To continue in the obscure dignity of his petty chiefdom.
