Also stadt-. [+ -ATE1.]
1. The office or dignity of stadholder.
1786. Ann. Reg., St. Papers, 67/1. The Stadtholderate became extinct by the death of William III of England.
1825. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 75. He would take no part in the quarrel, unless an entire abolition of the Stadtholderate should be attempted.
1880. Green, Hist. Eng. People, IV. IX. iii. 300. The restoration of the Dutch Statholderate.
2. A state ruled by a stadholder, or by a chief with the status and powers of a stadholder.
1889. Academy, 20 July, 32/1. Making the revolted colonies into a stadtholderate under the Count of Broglie.
