1. the governing body of a medieval Italian city-state
Usage: historical
2. lordship or dominion over a territory
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The signory of Florence wielded considerable power during the Renaissance.
• Venice’s signory controlled trade routes throughout the Mediterranean.
• The merchant families competed for positions in the city’s signory.
• Under the signory’s rule, the arts flourished in many Italian cities.
• The signory issued decrees that affected all citizens within the territory.
• Historical records show how the signory maintained order in medieval times.