underking

English

Alternative forms

• under-king

Etymology

From Middle English underking, from Old English undercing, undercyning (“under-king, viceroy”), possibly from Proto-West Germanic *underkuning, from Proto-Germanic *underkuningaz, equivalent to under- +‎ king. Cognate with Dutch onderkoning (“viceroy”), German Unterkönig (“underking”), Danish underkonge (“underking”), Swedish underkung (“underking”).

Noun

underking (plural underkings)

1. An inferior or subordinate king; a viceroy.
   • 1987, David P. Chandler, David Joel Steinberg, In Search of Southeast Asia:

     From the Johore capital on the island of Pulau Penyengat in the Riau Archipelago, where Parani's brother became "underking" to a puppet Malay sultan, the Bugis extended their control over the tin negeri of Kedah and Perak, [...]

   • 1995, N. J. Higham, An English Empire:

     Bede himself used it in this context, among others, referring for example to Peada, Penda's son and the underking of the Middle Saxons, as a princeps.

   • 2010, Mark Del Franco, Face Off:

     “I am an advisor in his role as an InterSec director, Lord Guardian, not his counselor as underKing to the Inverni.” Aran made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “A distinction without a difference. [...]”