Province
/ˈprɒv.ɪns/noun
A territory outside the capital or main administrative center of a country or empire.
Did you know?In Latin, provincia first meant an assigned official duty or sphere of command, and only later did it become the name for lands controlled by Rome, turning administration into geography.
Etymological Timeline
Latin (Republican era)
Latin
prōvincia
“An office, charge, or assigned duty; later, a governorship or territory under Roman administration.”
Classical Latin
Latin
prōvincia
“A sphere of command or official responsibility given to a magistrate.”
Late Latin
Latin
prōvincia
“A Roman administrative district or governed territory.”
Old French
Old French
province
“A region or district under authority.”
Middle English
English
provynce
“A region outside the capital; an administrative district.”
Modern English
English
province
“A principal administrative division of a country or empire, or a region outside the capital.”