fiefdom
noun/ˈfiːf.dəm/
Etymology From fief + -dom.
1
Historical The estate controlled by a feudal lord.
- The duke's fiefdom had been greatly expanded as a reward for his dutiful military service on behalf of the king.
- "If you wish to offer any of my vassals fiefdoms or positions in your new kingdom, they have my leave to accept. I promised them that when they came with me."1989, Robert Shea, The Saracen, The Holy War:
2
Broadly, Derogatory Any organization in the control of a dominant individual.
- “[Bill Clinton] was just walking around, looking in all the offices, like he was surveying his fiefdom. He had a big grin on his face.”2008, David Maraniss, First In His Class: A Biography Of Bill Clinton, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN:
- Hollande told cheering supporters in his rural fiefdom of Corrèze in south-west France that he was best-placed to lead France towards change, saying the vote marked a "rejection" of Sarkozy and a "sanction" against his five years in office.2012 April 23, Angelique Chrisafis, “François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election”, in The Guardian:
1 more example
- Bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX was run as the “personal fiefdom” of founder Sam Bankman-Fried, with one of the company’s units spending $300m on real estate in the Bahamas for the use of its executives, a court heard on Tuesday.2022 November 22, Dominic Rushe, “FTX was run as ‘personal fiefdom’ of Sam Bankman-Fried, court hears”, in The Guardian: