virrey

viceroy

noun beer-RREY Rare

Origin: From vice- (deputy) + rey (king); calque of Latin prorex.

Usage Note

Virrey was the title of the Spanish Crown's representative governing a colonial territory (virreinato). The major viceroyalties included New Spain and Peru. The feminine form virreina most often referred to the viceroy's wife. The word is mainly historical today, as is the derived virreinato ('viceroyalty'), used in academic writing.

Examples

"El virrey gobernaba en nombre del rey de España."

Natural Translation

The viceroy governed on behalf of the king of Spain.

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