primogeniture

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

UK /ˌprʌɪmə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛnɪtʃə/ See IPA manual

Freq #174652

Meanings

1

noun
The principle that the eldest child has an exclusive right of inheritance.

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.
2

noun
An instance of such a right of inheritance, established by custom or law.

The King of Sardinia, by a decree of the 9th of Dec. has abolished— 1. The prohibition against the erection of primogenitures and feudal rights, enacted by the 9th section of the edict of the 29th of July 1797, or by any other law; restricting, however, to those primogenitures and majorats only which shall be erected in favour of persons[…].
3

noun
right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son
4

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

Thesaurus

Opposites

postremogenitureultimogeniture

Word family

Derived forms primogenitureship

Related forms porphyrogenitureprimogenitor

Etymology

From French, from Late Latin primogenitura, from Latin primus (“first”) + genitura (“birth”) (from genitus, past participle of gignere).

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# primogeniture

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (UK):** /ˌprʌɪmə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛnɪtʃə/
**Frequency rank:** 174652

## Meanings
1. The principle that the eldest child has an exclusive right of inheritance.
2. An instance of such a right of inheritance, established by custom or law.
3. right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son
4. The state of being the firstborn of the children of the same parents.

## Examples
- 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.
- The King of Sardinia, by a decree of the 9th of Dec. has abolished— 1. The prohibition against the erection of primogenitures and feudal rights, enacted by the 9th section of the edict of the 29th of July 1797, or by any other law; restricting, however, to those primogenitures and majorats only which shall be erected in favour of persons[…].

## Antonyms
- postremogeniture
- ultimogeniture

## Derived Forms
- primogenitureship

## Related Forms
- porphyrogeniture
- primogenitor

## Etymology
From French, from Late Latin primogenitura, from Latin primus (“first”) + genitura (“birth”) (from genitus, past participle of gignere).

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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