semicolonies

/ˌsɛmiːˈkɑːləniz/
noun
  1. Plural of semicolony; countries or regions that are partly controlled by a foreign power.
    • The term 'semicolonies' is used to describe nations that were not fully colonized but still lost much of their sovereignty.
    • Many semicolonies in Asia and Africa experienced unequal treaties and foreign military presence.
    • The semicolonies of the 19th century often had their own rulers but were economically dominated by larger empires.
What does "semicolonies" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean