second estate

Questions

What does second estate mean?

The caste of nobility in medieval and early modern society, and in particular in France prior to 1789, as distinct from the clergy and the commoners.

Where does second estate come from?

See etymology at fourth estate.

How to pronounce second estate

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “second estate”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “second estate”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “second estate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.