primogeniture Hear it!

primogeniture Definition

primo·geni·ture (prī′mə jen′i c̸hər)

noun

  1. the condition or fact of being the firstborn of the same parents
  2. Law the exclusive right of the eldest son to inherit his father's estate

Etymology: ML primogenitura < L primus, first + genitura, a begetting < genitus: see primogenitor

primogeniture Law Definition

n

Latin

First born. An ancient rule of descent by which the firstborn son inherits all the property of his deceased father, usually to the exclusion of all his siblings. The purpose of primogeniture was to keep the estate (real property), the ownership of which implied power, from being subdivided into smaller and smaller parcels of land.
primogeniture Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • cognatic: What it didn't do, however, was allow for cognatic primogeniture.

Browse dictionary entries near primogeniture

  1. ‹ primogenitor
  2. ‹ primo
  3. ‹ primitivism
  4. ‹ primitive
  5. ‹ primipara
  6. ‹ priming
  7. ‹ primeval
  8. ‹ primero
  9. ‹ primer
  10. ‹ primely
  1. primordial ›
  2. primordium ›
  3. primp ›
  4. primrose ›
  5. primrose path ›
  6. primula ›
  7. primum mobile ›
  8. primus inter pares ›
  9. prin ›
  10. prince ›