protectorate

A relationship of protection and partial control assumed by a superior power over a dependent country or region.

The protected country or region.

The government, office, or term of a protector.

The government of England under Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, ruling as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

Government by a protector; also, the rank or position of a protector, or the period of his rule: specifically [capitalized] used with reference to the period in English history during which Oliver and Richard Cromwell held the title of Lord Protector.

A relation assumed by a strong nation toward a weak one, whereby the former protects the latter from hostile invasion or dictation, and interferes more or less in its domestic concerns.

Government by a protector; — applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.

The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.