Morganatic — Mor ga*nat ic, a. [LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See {Morn}.] Pertaining to,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
morganatic — (adj.) 1727, from Fr. morganatique (18c.), from M.L. matrimonium ad morganaticam marriage of the morning, probably from O.H.G. *morgangeba (M.H.G. morgengabe) morning gift, corresponding to O.E. morgengifu (see MORN (Cf. morn) + gift). In an… … Etymology dictionary
morganatic — [môr΄gə nat′ik] adj. [< ML (matrimonium ad) morganaticam, (marriage with) morning gift < morganaticum, altered < OHG morgengeba, morning gift, gift given to the wife on the day after marriage (in lieu of any share in the husband s… … English World dictionary
morganatic — [18] A morganatic marriage is one between people of different social status, in which the rank and entitlements of the higherstatus partner are not shared by the lower or their offspring. The word morganatic is a survival of an ancient Germanic… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
morganatic — [18] A morganatic marriage is one between people of different social status, in which the rank and entitlements of the higherstatus partner are not shared by the lower or their offspring. The word morganatic is a survival of an ancient Germanic… … Word origins
morganatic — adjective /mɔːɡəˈnatɪk,mɔɻɡəˈnætɪk/ Designating a marriage (or the wife involved) between a man of higher rank and a woman of lower rank, often having various legal repercussions (typically that such a wife has no claim on the husbands… … Wiktionary
morganatic — adj. Morganatic is used with these nouns: ↑marriage … Collocations dictionary
Morganatic marriage — In the context of European royalty, a morganatic marriage is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband s titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage. It is also known… … Wikipedia
morganatic marriage — n. A marriage between a person of royal birth and a partner of lower rank, in which the latter has no royal status or title. Example Citation: It may be that many people in Britain would not seriously object to Charles marrying Camilla.... That… … New words
MORGANATIC MARRIAGE — is a union permitted to German princes who, forbidden to marry except with one of equal rank, may ally themselves with a woman of inferior status, their children being legitimate but not eligible for the succession; the marriages of British… … The Nuttall Encyclopaedia