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viceroy

noun vice·roy \ ˈvīs-ˌrȯi \
|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

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

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

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

Learn More about viceroy

  1. 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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