Definition of Morganatic

1. Adjective. (of marriages) of a marriage between one of royal or noble birth and one of lower rank; valid but with the understanding that the rank of the inferior remains unchanged and offspring do not succeed to titles or property of the superior.

Exact synonyms: Left-handed
Similar to: Legitimate

Definition of Morganatic

1. a. Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband.

Definition of Morganatic

1. Adjective. 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 husband's possessions or title). It was not an aspect of English law, but was common in other royal houses, especially in Germany. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Morganatic

1. [adj]

Medical Definition of Morganatic

1. Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband. Morganat"ically. Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Morganatic

morels
morendo
moreness
morenesses
morenosite
moreover
morepork
moreporks
mores
moreso
moresomes
moresques
morgagnian cyst
morgan
morganatic (current term)
morganatically
morganite
morganites
morgans
morgay
morgays
morgen
morgens
morglay
morglays
morgue
morguelike
morgues
moria

Literary usage of Morganatic

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Connoisseur by George Colman, B. Thornton (1905)
"I suppose Mr. Burke means that a morganatic Marriage is perfectly legal ' in this ... Answers to Correspondents Heraldic Department morganatic MARRIAGES IN ..."

2. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"The morganatic wife and her children receive, by agreement or stipulation, a dowry and means of support, the amount being in some countries at the ..."

3. Historic Ninepins: A Book of Curiosities, where Old and Young May Read by John Timbs (1869)
"116, a paper, wherein he says: " For morganatic, the best, in fact, the only solution is found in the derivation of the word. When in the arid deserts of ..."

4. Democracy and Liberty by William Edward Hartpole, Lecky (1896)
"... morganatic marriages,' or marriages ' of the left hand,' which were contracted between princes and nobles of high rank and persons of inferior position. ..."

5. A History of French Private Law by Jean Brissaud, Rapelje Howell (1912)
"morganatic Marriages. § 142. Concubinage. ) § 141. In General. — Our law only knows one kind of marriage, the same for everybody. In the old legislations, ..."

6. Secrets of Dethroned Royalty by Catherine Radziwill (1920)
"SOME RUSSIAN morganatic MARRIAGES IN olden times no one in Russia would have admitted the possibility of any member of the Imperial family making what was ..."

7. Men and Women of the Time: A Dictionary of Contemporaries by George Washington Moon (1891)
"... was the daughter of a former Polish Minister of War, and was raised to the rank of Princess on her morganatic marriage with the ruler of Hesse. ..."

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