MORGANATIC


Meaning of MORGANATIC in English

adj. 1 (of a marriage) between a person of high rank and another of lower rank, the spouse and children having no claim to the possessions or title of the person of higher rank. 2 (of a wife) married in this way. morganatically adv.

[ F morganatique or G morganatisch f. med.L matrimonium ad morganaticam 'marriage with a morning gift', the husband's gift to the wife after consummation being his only obligation in such a marriage ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.