droit du seigneur

[drwa dy se-nyœr]

noun

1. the supposed right claimable by a feudal lord to have sexual relations with the bride of a vassal on her first night of marriage.

droit du seigneur

/ drwa dy sɛɲœr /

noun

1. in feudal times, the right of a lord to have sexual intercourse with a vassal's bride on her wedding night

Word History and Origins

Origin of droit du seigneur¹

1815–25; < French: literally, right of the lord

Word History and Origins

Origin of droit du seigneur¹

from French, literally: the right of the lord