English > the three estates: 1 sense > noun 1, group| Meaning | A major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country (especially in the United Kingdom) and formerly possessing distinct political rights. |
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| Synonyms | estate of the realm, estate |
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| Part of | state, nation, country, land, commonwealth, res publica, body politic | A politically organized body of people under a single government |
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| Region | France, French Republic | A republic in western Europe |
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| United Kingdom, UK, U.K., Britain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Great Britain | A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles |
| Narrower | first estate, Lords Spiritual | The clergy in France and the heads of the church in Britain |
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| fourth estate | The press, including journalists, newspaper writers, photographers |
| second estate, Lords Temporal | The nobility in France and the peerage in Britain |
| third estate, Commons | The common people |
| Broader | class, stratum, social class, socio-economic class | People having the same social, economic, or educational status |
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