Definition of "imamate"

The Mahometans do not agree among themselves about this imamate, or dignity of the imam. Some think it of divine right, and attached to a single family, as the pontificate of Aaron. Others hold, that it is, indeed, of divine right, but deny it to be so attached to any single family, as that it may not be transferred to another.

1819, Abraham Rees, “Imam”, in The Cyclopaedia; Or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, volume 18

After mentioning these facts, Shahristâni adds that "whatever befell them was prognosticated by Jaafar as-Sâdik, who said that temporal dominion was not for their family, but that the Imâmate was to be a toy in the hands of the Abbassides."

1891, Syed Ameer Ali, The Life and Teachings of Mohammed: Or, The Spirit of Islam

The government has accused the Houthis of trying to restore the traditional Zaidi-led imamate that largely ruled Yemen until 1962.

2009 September 21, Robert F. Worth, “Yemen’s North Hit by Bloodiest Fighting in Years”, in New York Times‎