Governorate

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌvə(ɹ)nəɹət/

Definitions

1. A regional administrative area in a nation supervised by a governor, responsible for executing laws and policies at a local level
2. A jurisdiction managed by an appointed official that administers local governance and enforces the central government's directives
3. A civil division within a country presided over by an official who oversees local administration and implements national regulations

Etymology: The word is a plain formation: "governor" with the suffix "-ate" added. "Governor" itself came into English through Middle English "governour" from Old French "gouvreneur", which traces back through Latin "gubernator" to the Greek "kubernáō", meaning "to steer" or "to pilot a ship." The governor was, in the first place, a steersman. The suffix "-ate" comes from Latin "-ātus", and English uses it to form nouns that name a rank, office, or the territory and body under such an office. Adding it to "governor" gives a word for the district a governor rules, or the term of his charge. The result is a formation English speakers could build quickly once "governor" was established, which is why it looks so transparent today.