protectorate

n. weak state that is protected and controlled by a stronger state

In international law a protectorate is a political entity (a sovereign state or less developed native polity, such as a tribal chiefstainship or feudal princely state) that formally agrees by treaty to enter into an unequal relationship with another, stronger state, called the protector, which engages to protect it (diplomatically or, if needed, militarily) against third parties, in exchange for which the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship.
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Noun
1. a state or territory partly controlled by (but not a possession of) a stronger state but autonomous in internal affairs; protectorates are established by treaty
(synonym) associated state
(hypernym) district, territory, territorial dominion, dominion

(n.)
The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.
  

(n.)
Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the government of England by Oliver Cromwell.
  

Synonyms and related words:
aedileship, ally, archbishopric, archduchy, archdukedom, archiepiscopacy, archiepiscopate, aristocracy, bishopric, body politic, buffer state, captive nation, chairmanship, chancellery, chancellorate, chancellorship, chiefery, chiefry, chieftaincy, chieftainry, chieftainship, city-state, colony, commonweal, commonwealth, consulate, consulship, country, county, deanery, dictatorship, dictature, directorship, domain, dominion, duchy, dukedom, earldom, emirate, empery, empire, episcopacy, free city, governorship, grand duchy, headship, hegemony, hierarchy, kingdom, land, leadership, lordship, magistracy, magistrateship, magistrature, mandant, mandate, mandated territory, mandatee, mandatory, masterdom, mastership, mastery, mayoralty, mayorship, metropolitanate, metropolitanship, nation, nationality, nobility, papacy, pashadom, pashalic, patriarchate, patriarchy, polis, polity, pontificality, pontificate, popedom, popehood, popeship, possession, power, prefectship, prefecture, premiership, presidency, presidentship, prime-ministership, prime-ministry, princedom, princeship, principality, principate, proconsulate, proconsulship, protectorship, province, provostry, provostship, puppet government, puppet regime, realm, rectorate, rectorship, regency, regentship, republic, ruling class, satellite, seigniory, seneschalship, seneschalsy, seneschalty, settlement, sheikhdom, sheriffalty, sheriffcy, sheriffdom, shrievalty, sovereign nation, state, sultanate, superpower, supervisorship, suzerainship, suzerainty, territory, toparchia, toparchy, tribunate, vizierate, viziership