imperium in imperio

noun

A state within a state, inclusive of deep states or other forces which operate with sovereign-like impunity within a polity.

OriginLatin imperium in imperio →
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Meanings

noun
  1. A state within a state, inclusive of deep states or other forces which operate with sovereign-like impunity within a polity.

    ...the system of presiding chiefs... was most anomalous,—an imperium in imperio,—and weakened the bond of loyal attachment to the throne. Of what use were the kings of Chow, if they could not do their proper work of government, but must be continually devolving it on one or other of their vassals?

    1872, James Legge translating Confucius as The Ch‘un Ts‘ew, Prolegomena, Ch. iii, p. 116

Origin

  1. Latinimperium in imperio
  2. Englishimperium in imperio

Borrowed from Latin imperium in imperio.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

imperium in imperio. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/imperium%20in%20imperio

MLA

“imperium in imperio.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/imperium%20in%20imperio. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “imperium in imperio,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/imperium%20in%20imperio.

Source: imperium in imperio on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.