This is the 11172nd most frequent French word.
protectorat
A "protectorat" is a territory or state that is controlled and protected by a more powerful authority or country.
Here, 'protectorat' refers to a historical instance where a nation was under the political or administrative control of another nation while retaining some degree of sovereignty. It is used as a noun representing a state of governance.
Le Maroc fut un protectorat français jusqu'en 1956.
Morocco was a French protectorate until 1956.
Here, 'protectorat' is used in a general sense to describe the concept or political arrangement involving a protectorate, emphasizing its nature and definition.
Le concept de protectorat implique une forme de protection sans annexion.
The concept of a protectorate involves a form of protection without annexation.
In this sentence, 'protectorats' refers to the status of small kingdoms that chose to enter political arrangements as protectorates for strategic reasons. It highlights the use of the term in historical discussions.