proprietary colony

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Word: Proprietary Colony

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A proprietary colony is a type of colony that was given to an individual or a group of people (called proprietors) to govern. This type of colony was common in the 17th century, especially in what is now the United States.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "proprietary colony" when discussing historical contexts, particularly in relation to early American history.
• It is a specific term, so it is not commonly used in everyday conversation today, but it is important for discussions about colonial history.

Example:

• "Pennsylvania was a proprietary colony established by William Penn, who received the land from King Charles II."

Advanced Usage:

In discussions of colonial governance, "proprietary colony" can be contrasted with other types of colonies, such as royal colonies (governed directly by the crown) and charter colonies (governed by a charter granted to settlers).

Word Variants:

• Proprietor (noun): The individual who owns and governs the proprietary colony.
• Proprietorship (noun): The state or condition of owning something; in this context, it refers to the ownership of the colony.

Different Meanings:

While "proprietary" can refer to ownership in general (like a proprietary product owned by a company), in the context of "proprietary colony," it specifically relates to ownership and governance of land and settlements.

Synonyms:

• Privately owned colony
• Chartered colony (although this has some differences)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "proprietary colony," but you can use phrases like "take ownership" or "govern effectively" to discuss the responsibilities of proprietors.

Summary:

A proprietary colony is a historical term used to describe a colony governed by individual proprietors rather than by a royal authority.

Academic

Noun

1. a colony given to a proprietor to govern (in 17th century)