tiers ['e]tat

1 definition found

tiers ['e]tat - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tiers 'etat \Tiers` ['e]`tat"\ [F.]
     The third estate, or commonalty, in France, answering to the
     commons in Great Britain; -- so called in distinction from,
     and as inferior to, the nobles and clergy.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The refusal of the clergy and nobility to give the
           tiers ['e]tat a representation in the States-general
           proportioned to their actual numbers had an important
           influence in bringing on the French Revolution of 1789.
           Since that time the term has been purely historical.
           [1913 Webster]