Primogeniture

Quick meaning: Primogeniture is a noun meaning The state of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents.

Meaning

The state of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents.

More Meanings

1. The principle that the eldest child has an exclusive right of inheritance.
2. (countable) An instance of such a right of inheritance, established by custom or law.

Example Sentences

He writes as if he is the first privileged male to notice the unfairness of primogeniture (the “hierarchy”, as he likes to call it with sinister emphasis).

The American system of land tenures, the abolition of entails and primogenitures, and our methods of transfer of real estate, are all anti-English in their origin.

On these grounds, I contend the mere possession of large property, which is all that primogeniture insures, is by no means a sufficient and unobjectionable qualification for a legislator.

Anglo-Saxon kings did not succeed on the basis of primogeniture. All the kings offspring were known as aethelings -- throneworthy -- and from this gene pool the royal family would select the aetheling who seemed best qualified for the job.

Word Forms

• primogenitures

Antonyms for primogeniture

Common opposites include ultimogeniture, postremogeniture.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include firstborn, porphyrogeniture, unogeniture, postremogeniture, heritage, secundogeniture.

Related Dictionary Tools