[f. CHIEFTAIN + -SHIP.] The office or position of a chieftain.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., let. 6 Sept. The chieftainship of the Highlanders is a very dangerous influence.
1790. Boswell, Johnson (1831), I. 241. A Highland gentleman … consulted me if he could not validly purchase the chieftainship of his family from the chief.
1858. Bright, Sp. Reform, 27 Oct. A Government under the chieftainship of Lord Derby.
1866. Livingstone, Jrnl. (1873), I. ix. 247. A son or heir does not succeed to the chieftainship here.
Chieftance, obs. form of plural chieftains.
