n.
- a son, grandson, or other close male relative of a monarch.
▸a male monarch of a small state, actually or nominally subject to a king or emperor.
▸(in some European countries) a nobleman, usually ranking next below a duke.
-
(prince of or among)
a man or thing pre-eminent in a particular sphere or group.
Phrase
- prince of the blood
a prince by right of royal descent.
Derivative
- princedom n.
- princelike adj.
Etymology
ME: via OFr. from L. princeps, princip- ‘first, chief, sovereign’, from primus ‘first’ + capere ‘take’.