the estates of the realm
1. The three divisions of the body politic, Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal and Commons
2. Often misused for the legislature, ie king, lords and commons
3. The ancient parliament of Scotland consisted of the king and the three estates, ie (1) archbishops, bishops, abbots and mitred priors, (2) the barons and the commissioners of shires and stewartries, (3) the commissioners from the royal burghs
4. In France, the nobles, clergy and third estate (tiers état) remained separate down to 1780
• • •
Main Entry: ↑estate
Useful english dictionary. 2012.