German word

Kurfürst

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkuːɐ̯ˌfʏʁst/

Meaning

  • masculine nounprince-elector

Example

Die Kurfürsten trafen sich im Schloss.

The prince-electors met at the castle.

Illustration for Kurfürst (prince-elector)

More examples

Der Kurfürst übte politische Macht aus.

The prince-elector exercised political power.

Core concept

A powerful prince sits among a small circle of rulers, each casting a vote for the Holy Roman Emperor.

Common phrases

  • Kurfürst von Sachsen

    prince-elector of Saxony

  • Macht des Kurfürsten

    power of the prince-elector

Similar words

Fürst: A high-ranking hereditary noble who rules a territory.
Herzog: A duke who governs a large territory.
Graf: A noble title for a ruler of a medium-sized territory.
Landesherr: A lord who governs a distinct territory.

Definition in German

Kurfürst bezeichnet einen Fürsten mit dem besonderen Wahlrecht bei der Kaiserwahl, besonders im Heiligen Römischen Reich.

Word origin

Kurfürst is a compound of German Kur, 'election', and Fürst, 'prince', and originally named a prince involved in choosing the emperor.

Usage tips

  • Its plural is Kurfürsten, not Kurfürste, and the noun remains masculine: der Kurfürst.

Related words

  • Kurfürstentumprince-electoratenoun
  • kurfürstlichelectoraladjective
  • Kurfürstinprincess-electressnoun

Word lists with this word