Definition

Relating to a type of marriage between a person of noble or royal status and someone of lower rank, where the lower-ranked partner does not receive titles or inherit property from the noble partner.

Example

The couple had a morganatic marriage, ensuring that their children would not inherit any royal titles.

Conversation

Did you hear about that morganatic marriage in the royal family?

Yeah, it's interesting how they can marry someone of lower rank and still keep their titles.

Right? It makes you wonder how the kids will be treated in terms of inheritance.

Exactly, they won't get any royal titles, which is kind of unfair.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Morganatic comes from the German word 'morganatisch', which is derived from 'morganatic marriage' (meaning a marriage between a person of royal blood and a commoner, where the royal spouse's titles and privileges are not passed on to the common spouse). The term 'morganatic' thus refers to the nature of such marriages, specifically regarding the rights and privileges associated with them.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'morganatic marriage' as a union where royal titles do not pass to the common spouse, helping you remember that 'morganatic' relates to this specific type of marriage.

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