C14: from Latin satrapa, from Greek satrapēs, from Old Persian khshathrapāvan, literally: protector of the land
satrap in American English
(ˈseɪˌtræp; ˈsæˌtræp)
noun
1.
the governor of a province in ancient Persia
2.
a ruler of a dependency, esp. a despotic, subordinate official; petty tyrant
Word origin
ME < L satrapes < Gr satrapēs < OPers xšathrapāvan, lit., protector of the land < xšathra, dominion (< IE base *kthēi-, to gain dominion > Gr ktēma, possession) + *pā(y)-, to protect < IE base *pō(i)-, to herd sheep, protect, cover > OE fothor, sheath
Examples of 'satrap' in a sentence
satrap
She was originally from Jamaillia and a companion to their satrap.
Robin Hobb THE GOLDEN FOOL: BOOK TWO OF THE TAWNY MAN (2002)
Their fleets were their satrap, their feudal fiefdom, and the crews were their serfs.
Maclean, Alistair SAN ANDREAS (2002)
Gossip had it that she had fallen into deep disfavour with the ruling satrap, and that he all but exiled her to Bingtown.
Robin Hobb THE GOLDEN FOOL: BOOK TWO OF THE TAWNY MAN (2002)