appanage

ap·pa·nage

noun \ˈa-pə-nij\

Definition of APPANAGE

1

a : a grant (as of land or revenue) made by a sovereign or a legislative body to a dependent member of the royal family or a principal vassal b : a property or privilege appropriated to or by a person as something due

2

: a rightful endowment or adjunct

Variants of APPANAGE

ap·pa·nage also a·pa·nage \ˈa-pə-nij\

Examples of APPANAGE

1. <use of the grounds was just one appanage he bestowed upon the caretakers of his estate>
2. <wealthy people who believe that political power is their natural appanage>

Origin of APPANAGE

French apanage, from Old French, from apaner to provide for a younger offspring, from Medieval Latin appanare, from Latin ad- + panis bread — more at food

First Known Use: 1602

Related to APPANAGE

Synonyms: privilege (also apanage), boon, concession, honor

Related Words: courtesy; claim, entitlement, right; birthright; perquisite, prerogative; charter, grant, patent; exemption, immunity, waiver

Near Antonyms: burden, duty, obligation, responsibility

see all synonyms and antonyms

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