septennate
(sɛpˈtɛnət)
[ad. F. septennat, f. L. septenn-is (see prec.) + -at = -ate1.]
A period of seven years during which office is held, etc.
Orig. applied to the military dictatorship of Marshal MacMahon set up for seven years from 20 Nov. 1873.
| 1874 Times 13 Apr. 7/1 The Septennate [of Marshal MacMahon] and the Press. 1885 Athenæum 2 May 570/1 Lord Carnarvon passed under review the principal events which had marked his septennate. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 15 May 2/2 If this Bill fails or is withdrawn, a Conservative Septennate is as absolute a certainty as to-morrow's sunrise. |
b. German Hist. A period of seven years during which the strength of the army is to remain fixed. Also attrib.
| 1885 Lowe Bismarck II. 401 marg., The Military Septennate. 1887 Pall Mall G. 23 Feb. 11/2 Of the seats occupied by the members of this majority the Septennate party has already captured some thirty or forty by the displacement of former members. 1887 Contemp. Rev. LI. 592 The passing of the Septennate Bill will certainly make the French more inclined to pause before attacking Germany. |