principate /ˈpɹɪns.əˌpeɪt/noun 3adjective 1forms 1 noun3 •The office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence. •The early period of the Roman Empire, during which some characteristics of the government of the Roman Republic were retained; the reign of any particular emperor during said period.The history of the courts and of judicial procedure during the principate is closely parallel to that of the government as a whole. — 1972 •A state ruled by a prince; a principality. adjective1 •Primary; principal. formsprincipates
