Gau

/ɡaʊ/ noun

Definition

A territorial or administrative division, particularly used in historical German contexts to describe a region or district under specific rule.

Etymology

From Old High German 'gau' or 'gaue,' related to Old Saxon and other Germanic languages, meaning a province or canton governed as a distinct unit.

Kelly Says

Nazi Germany revived 'gau' as their administrative districts (like 'Gau Bayern'), showing how authoritarian regimes sometimes resurrect old medieval terms to create a false sense of historical legitimacy.

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