nounnoun
der Kurfürst, -en
elector
Ein Fürst im alten Deutschen Reich, der bei der Wahl des Kaisers mitstimmen durfte.
The German word "Kurfürst" is a noun meaning "Elector", specifically a prince with the hereditary right to elect the Holy Roman Emperor.
- It is composed of two parts:
- Kur: derives from "Wahl" (election), referring to the right or act of voting.
- Fürst: means "prince" or "ruler".
Similar words:
- Fürst: prince or sovereign ruler, a general term without the electoral privilege.
- Herzog: duke, a noble title but without election rights.
- König: king, typically hereditary and sovereign, not elected.
Differences:
- Kurfürst specifically refers to princes with the electoral role in the Holy Roman Empire, distinguishing them from regular nobles (Fürst, Herzog) who had no electoral duty.
- The title implies political power through participation in empire-wide elections, unlike other noble ranks.
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Examples
Der Kurfürst regierte das Land.noun
The elector ruled the land.
Viele Einwohner respektierten den Kurfürsten sehr.noun
Many inhabitants respected the elector very much.
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