porphyrogenite

noun

por·​phy·​rog·​e·​nite
ˌpȯ(r)fəˈräjəˌnīt,
-fərōˈjeˌn-
variants or porphyrogenitus
-fərōˈjenətəs
plural porphyrogenites
-ˌnīts
or porphyrogeniti
-nəˌtī
: a son born after the accession of his father to the throne : one born in the purple

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin porphyrogenitus, from Middle Greek porphyrogennētos, from Greek porphyra purple + gennētos born, from gennan to bear; akin to Greek gignesthai to be born

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Cite this Entry

“Porphyrogenite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porphyrogenite. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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