(in Britain) short for Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds; a nominal office that an MP applies for in order to resign his or her seat
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
Chil′tern Hun′dreds
(chil′tərn),USA pronunciation [Brit.]
- British Termscertain crown lands, the stewardship of which is nominally bestowed on a member of the House of Commons to provide an excuse to resign, as members are not allowed to hold titular office from the crown.
- British Terms, Idioms to apply for the Chiltern Hundreds, to resign or express a desire to resign from the House of Commons.
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