noun
the office or period of office of a protector
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The country became a protectorate of the larger empire, ensuring its security and sovereignty.
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The smaller nation was basically under the protection of the bigger one, like a protectorate or something.
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They had a sort of buddy-buddy relationship, with one being the protectorate and the other the protector.
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Her older brother always acted like a protectorate, looking out for her in any situation.