states-general

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

States-general \States"-gen"er*al\ (st[=a]ts"j[e^]n"[~e]r*al),
   n.
   1. In France, before the Revolution, the assembly of the
      three orders of the kingdom, namely, the clergy, the
      nobility, and the third estate, or commonalty.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. In the Netherlands, the legislative body, composed of two
      chambers.
      [1913 Webster]