palatinePAL'ATINE, a. [L. palatinus, from palatium, palace.] Pertaining to a palace; an epithet applied originally to persons holding an office or employment in the king;s palace; hence it imports possessing royal privileges; as a count palatine. PAL'ATINE, n. One invested with royal privileges and rights. A palatine or count palatine, on the continent of Europe, is one delegated by a prince to hold courts of justice in a province, or one who has a palace and a court of justice in his own house. In Poland, a palatine may be regarded as the governor of a province. |