| morganatic | Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband. Morganat"ically. Origin: LL. Matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. Morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. Morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. Morgengabe. See Morn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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