primogeniture

American  

[prahy-muh-jen-i-cher, -choor] / ˌpraɪ məˈdʒɛn ɪ tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. the state or fact of being the firstborn of children of the same parents.

2. Law.  the system of inheritance or succession by the firstborn, specifically the eldest son.

---

primogeniture British  

/ ˌpraɪməʊˈdʒɛnɪtʃə, ˌpraɪməʊˈdʒɛnɪtərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. the state of being a first-born

2. law the right of an eldest son to succeed to the estate of his ancestor to the exclusion of all others Compare ultimogeniture

---

primogeniture Cultural  

1. A system of inheritance in which land passes exclusively to the eldest son. Until the Industrial Revolution, this system severely restricted the freedom of younger sons, who were often forced into the military or the clergy to earn a living.

---

Other Word Forms

• primogenital adjective
• primogenitary adjective
• primogenitureship noun

Etymology

Origin of primogeniture

First recorded in 1500–20; from Medieval Latin prīmōgenitūra “a first birth,” equivalent to Latin prīmō “at first” + genitūra, equivalent to genit(us) (past participle of gignere “to beget”) + -ūra noun suffix; kin, -ure

Example Sentences

The last time the U.K.’s law of succession was altered, to end male primogeniture, was in 2013 and it took nearly two years.

From The Wall Street Journal

The book’s title is a play on the phrase “heir and spare,” referring to Harry’s diminished status as the younger brother in a monarchy where succession is governed by primogeniture.

From New York Times

This is a place that values male strength and primogeniture.

From New York Times

For all of Anne’s responsibilities, a superannuated law on male royal primogeniture puts limits on her role.

From New York Times

Victoria privately believed that her eldest daughter would make a better ruler than her eldest son, Chernock said, but she never attempted to challenge male primogeniture publicly.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bequest
• estate
• heritage
• legacy