Chĭl'tern Hūn'dreds

[A-S. Ciltern, the Chiltern, high hills in Buckinghamshire, perhaps from ceald, cold, and ern, ern, place.] A tract in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, England, to which is attached the nominal office of steward, under the crown. As members of parliament can not resign their seats, when they wish to go out they accept this nominal office or stewardship, and thus vacate their seats. Brande.