In the Stofonian Language the word Sinist refers to either: * Any sovereign state not large enough to be called an empire (Elikaln). No particular form of government is implied. This usage of Sinist is usually translated as "Kingdom", "Republic", etc., depending on the form of government involved. * Major divisions of the Stofonian Empire. As originally organized, the empire was comprised of Sinist as the top-level division. Later the empire was a declared to be a Stenelikaln or "empire of empires", with the Sinist as the next level down. Usually translated as "Province", although some translators prefer more picturesque terms such as "Principality".