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Dictionary Language resources

morganatic

Pronunciation: /ˌmɔːgəˈnatɪk/

Definition of morganatic

adjective

relating to or denoting a marriage in which neither the spouse of lower rank, nor any children, have any claim to the possessions or title of the spouse of higher rank: he contracted a morganatic marriage with a German-born actress

Derivatives

morganatically

Origin:

early 18th century: from modern Latin morganaticus, from medieval Latin matrimonium ad morganaticam 'marriage with a morning gift' (because a morning gift, given by a husband to his wife on the morning after the marriage, was the wife's sole entitlement in a marriage of this kind)