viceroy

noun vice·roy \ ˈvīs-ˌrȯi \

Definition of viceroy

1 : the governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of a king or sovereign

2 or viceroy butterfly : a showy North American nymphalid butterfly (Limenitis archippus) closely mimicking the monarch in coloration but smaller

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Recent Examples of viceroy from the Web

The date, May 5, 1718, reflects the founding of a city — and a place of conversion — for the viceroy of New Spain.

— elaine ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "Since Spanish arrival here, the church has been amassing treasures," 13 Jan. 2018
The Viceroy's House A new British viceroy is appointed to oversee India's transition in 1947 from colony to independent nation.

— chris ball, cleveland.com, "'Victoria and Abdul,' now on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 7 Jan. 2018
Clara soon meets a gingerbread soldier named Phillip (Hayden Fowora-Knight), an army of mice and the viceroys of the three Realms: Land of Flowers, Land of Snowflakes and Land of Sweets, where Keira Knightley acts as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

— lexy perez, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Nutcracker and the Four Realms' Trailer Teases Mysterious, Magical World," 19 Dec. 2017
Viceroy's House Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville) , the final British viceroy of India, faces difficulties while overseeing the transition to Indian independence.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "Movies: New and Noteworthy," 3 Sep. 2017
Mounting criticism forced the conquistador to resign as New Mexico’s governor in 1610 and, in 1614, he was found guilty by the viceroy on charges of abusing his power.

— simon romero, New York Times, "Statue’s Stolen Foot Reflects Divisions Over Symbols of Conquest," 30 Sep. 2017
In ‘‘Ouidah,’’ the titular viceroy’s daughter hoards some of her father’s possessions — ‘‘. .

— hanya yanagihara, New York Times, "Bruce Chatwin: One of the Last Great Explorers," 7 Sep. 2017
Basu read through the private papers of the Queen's household, from letters Victoria wrote to her viceroys, to documents penned by her doctor, Sir James Reid.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Victoria and Abdul," 25 Sep. 2017
In few other countries would someone born in Mr. Kovind’s circumstances end up occupying a 340-room sandstone palace built for the British viceroy during colonial rule.

— sadanand dhume, WSJ, "India’s Incredibly Shrunken Presidency," 20 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viceroy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of viceroy

Middle French vice-roi, from vice- + roi king, from Old French rei, roi, from Latin reg-, rex

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First Known Use: 1524

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agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

VICEROY Defined for English Language Learners

viceroy

noun

Definition of viceroy for English Language Learners

: a person sent by a king or queen to rule a colony in the past

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See words that rhyme with viceroy Spanish Central: Translation of viceroy Nglish: Translation of viceroy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of viceroy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about viceroy

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