morganatic

[ mawr-guh-nat-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a form of marriage in which a person of high rank, as a member of the nobility, marries someone of lower station with the stipulation that neither the low-ranking spouse nor their children, if any, will have any claim to the titles or entailed property of the high-ranking partner.

morganatic

/ ˌmɔːɡəˈnætɪk /

adjective

1. of or designating a marriage between a person of high rank and a person of low rank, by which the latter is not elevated to the higher rank and any issue have no rights to the succession of the higher party's titles, property, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌmorgaˈnatically, adverb

Other Words From

• morga·nati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of morganatic¹

1720–30; < New Latin morganāticus (adj.), for Medieval Latin phrase ( mātrimōnium ) ad morganāticam (marriage) to the extent of morning-gift ( morganātica representing Germanic *morgangeba (feminine); compare Old English morgengiefu gift from husband to wife on day after wedding)

Word History and Origins

Origin of morganatic¹

C18: from the Medieval Latin phrase mātrimōnium ad morganāticum marriage based on the morning-gift (a token present after consummation representing the husband's only liability); morganātica, ultimately from Old High German morgan morning; compare Old English morgengiefu morning-gift

Example Sentences

Weber, however, had spoken of a morganatic marriage, and fearful pressure might be brought to bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you understand that it was a great honor he offered Mademoiselle Lannes, to make her his morganatic wife?

From Project Gutenberg

It is only the rare man who can conceal enough of his income from his wife to pay for a morganatic affair.

From Project Gutenberg

Famous dancer and morganatic wife of Prince Adalbert of Prussia.

From Project Gutenberg

They become in a sense morganatic wives, lacking only the name, and often not deserving less respect than if they had it.

From Project Gutenberg