from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prince \Prince\, n. [F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first,
chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and
{Capacious}.]
1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and
authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied
to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
--Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).
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Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince. --Milton.
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Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
--Camden.
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2. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal
family; as, princes of the blood. --Shak.
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3. A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in
different countries. In England it belongs to dukes,
marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal
family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a
member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is
always one of the royal family.
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4. The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class
or profession; one who is pre["e]minent; as, a merchant
prince; a prince of players. "The prince of learning."
--Peacham.
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{Prince-Albert coat}, a long double-breasted frock coat for
men.
{Prince of the blood}, {Prince consort}, {Prince of
darkness}. See under {Blood}, {Consort}, and {Darkness}.
{Prince of Wales}, the oldest son of the English sovereign.
{Prince's feather} (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs
({Amarantus caudatus} and {Polygonum orientale}), with
apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved
panicled spikes.
{Prince's metal}, {Prince Rupert's metal}. See under {Metal}.
{Prince's pine}. (Bot.) See {Pipsissewa}.
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