Definition of "commonwealths" [commonwealths]

• Plural form of commonwealth. (noun)

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• "The social compact thus made is essentially different from the social compact which Hobbes described as the origin of what he calls commonwealths by institution, to distinguish them from commonwealths by acquisition, that is to say, states formed by conquest or resting on hereditary rule."
• "These immigrants would have repopulated whole commonwealths, but they would hardly be called commonwealths in that case."
• "De Republica, that they are not rightly to be called commonwealths, but the corruption of commonwealths."