n. (as a title usu. Prince) 1 a male member of a royal family other than a reigning king. 2 (in full prince of the blood) a son or grandson of a British monarch. 3 a ruler of a small State, actually or nominally subject to a king or emperor. 4 (as an English rendering of foreign titles) a noble usu. ranking next below a duke. 5 (as a courtesy title in some connections) a duke, marquis, or earl. 6 (often foll. by of) the chief or greatest (the prince of novelists). Prince Charming an idealized young hero or lover. prince consort 1 the husband of a reigning female sovereign who is himself a prince. 2 the title conferred on him. Prince of Darkness Satan. Prince of Peace Christ. Prince of Wales the heir apparent to the British throne, as a title conferred by the monarch. Prince Regent a prince who acts as regent, esp. George (afterwards IV) as regent 1811-20. prince royal the eldest son of the reigning monarch. prince's feather a tall plant, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, with feathery spikes of small red flowers. prince's metal a brasslike alloy of copper and zinc. princedom n. princelet n. princelike adj. princeship n.
[ ME f. OF f. L princeps principis first, chief, sovereign f. primus first + capere take ]