States General

English

Etymology

From states, plural of state + general, after Dutch Staten-Generaal, Middle French etats generaux.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /steɪts ˈdʒɛn(ə)ɹəl/

Proper noun

States General

  1. (historical) A legislative assembly in the Netherlands until 1795, uniting representatives of the three estates of clergy, nobles, and commons. [from 16th c.]
  2. (historical) A similar assembly in pre-Revolutionary France. [from 16th c.]
    • 1932, Duff Cooper, Talleyrand, Folio Society, published 2010, page 18:
      In 1789, with bankruptcy staring the government in the face, Louis XVI took the momentous decision to summon the States-General.

Synonyms
  • (French assembly): Estates General

Translations
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