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landgrave

 - 3 dictionary results

land⋅grave

  [land-greyv]
Use landgrave in a Sentence
–noun
1. (in medieval Germany) a count having jurisdiction over a large territory.
2. (usually initial capital letter) the title of certain German princes.
Origin:
1510–20; < MLG; see land, margrave
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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land·grave   (lānd'grāv')   
n.  

  1. A man in medieval Germany who had jurisdiction over a particular territory.

  2. Used as the title for such a nobleman.


[From Middle Low German : lant, land; see lendh- in Indo-European roots + grave, count; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

landgrave

a title of nobility in Germany and Scandinavia, dating from the 12th century, when the kings of Germany attempted to strengthen their position in relation to that of the dukes (Herzoge). The kings set up "provincial counts" (Landgrafen) over whom the dukes would have no control and who would have rank and authority equivalent to those of dukes. Later-and more commonly-the title was given to counts in order to make them directly dependent on the king (or emperor).

Learn more about landgrave with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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