Etymology Dictionary

PALATINE,  orig. pertaining to a palace.  (F.,—L.)   Chiefly in the phr. 'count palatine,' where the adj. follows the sb., as in French; see Merch. Ven. i. 2. 49.—F. palatin, 'a generall and common appellation, or title, for such as have any special office or function in a soveraign princes palace;' Cot.   He adds:  'Compte palatin, a count palatine, is not the title of a particular office, but an hereditary addition of dignity and honour, gotten by service done in a domesticall charge.'—Lat. palatinus, (1) the name of a hill in Rome, (2) belonging to the imperial abode, to the palace or court.  See Palace.  Der. palatin-ate, from F. palatinat, 'a palatinaty, the title or dignity of a court palatine, also a county palatine;' Cot.   Doublet, paladin.