rə̇ˈgaləd.ē, rēˈ-, -lətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English regalite, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French regalité, from Medieval Latin regalitat-, regalitas, from Latin regalis royal, regal + -tat-, -tas -ty
1.
a. : sovereign right or privilege : sovereign jurisdiction or prerogative
b. regalities plural : regalia
2. : a country or territory subject to royal jurisdiction or to such jurisdiction in the hands of a subject
3. : a royal grant under former English or Scots law permitting a lord of a particular territory to exercise jurisdiction similar in civil matters to that of a sheriff and with more extensive jurisdiction to hear criminal cases — see lord of regality