peerdom
(ˈpɪədəm)
[f. peer n. + -dom.]
1. The condition or rank of a peer; = peerage 2.
| 1603 Florio Montaigne i. xli. (1632) 138 The women that succeeded in the Peeredomes of France, had..right to assist and privilege to plead. 1895 Chamberlain Sp. Ho. Comm. 13 May, Wherever the suspicion of peerdom attached, a Committee must be appointed to inquire into the case. |
† 2. The territory or fief of a French peer. Obs.
| 1611 Cotgr., Perrie, a Peeredome; the estate or dignitie of a Peere. 1670 Cotton Espernon i. iii. 128 This Castle with the demean and territory belonging to it..was soon..advanc'd into a Dutchy, and Peerdom, under the Title of the Dutchy de la Valette. 1762 tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. IV. 297 Menin is one of the twelve peerdoms or Patriatus. |
3. The condition of being peer or equal; equality.
| 1891 W. O. Newnham Arlesford Ess. 102 Terms of perfect loving intimacy and equality, perhaps I may be allowed to coin a word and to add ‘peerdom’, with our Father. 1898 Dublin Rev. Apr. 405 Supremacy..could not thus efface the peerdom of those over whom it was exercised. |