porphyrogenite

/ ˌpɔːfəˈrɒdʒɪˌnaɪt /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) a prince born after his father has succeeded to the throne

Word History and Origins

Origin of porphyrogenite¹

C17: via Medieval Latin from Late Greek porphurogenētos born in the purple, from Greek porphuros purple

Example Sentences

I visit Constantinople while the Porphyrogenite emperors still sit upon the throne of the East; I look upon the barbaric court of Muscovy before the name of Russia is known in the world; I make acquaintance with Genghis Khan at Karakorum, and with Aurungzebe at Delhi; I invade Japan with Kampfer, penetrate the Arctic Seas with Barentz, or view the gardens of Ispahan in the company of the gallant Sir John Chardin.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

An apartment of the Byzantine palace was lined with porphyry: it was reserved for the use of the pregnant empresses; and the royal birth of their children was expressed by the appellation of porphyrogenite, or born in the purple.

Read more on Project Gutenberg