fourth estate
Journalism or journalists considered as a groupJournalism or journalists considered as a group; the press.
Meaning
2 senses(idiomatic)Journalism or journalists considered as a group; the press.
vierte Gewalt
четвёртая властьčetvjórtaja vlastʹ
the press, including journalists, newspaper writers, photographers
(obsolete)A hypothetical fourth class of civic subjects, or fourth body (in Britain, after the Crown, and the two Houses of Parliament) which governed legislation.
Translations
5 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
The three (in England) estates were originally the three classes of people who could partiThe three (in England) estates were originally the three classes of people who could participate in government, either directly or by electing representatives – originally the clergy, barons/knights, and the commons (though they changed over time). Later the "three estates" were misunderstood as being the three governmental powers necessary for legislation: the Crown, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons; from there, the idea of a "fourth estate" was often used in satirical or jocular expressions, before developing a fixed association with the Press.
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Forms
plural: fourth estates| Singular | fourth estate |
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| Plural | fourth estates |
regular