primogeniture (redirected from primogenital)

pri·mo·gen·i·ture  (prm-jn-chr)

n.

1. The state of being the first born or eldest child of the same parents.

2. Law The right of the eldest child, especially the eldest son, to inherit the entire estate of one or both parents.

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[Late Latin prmgenitra : Latin prm, at first (from prmus, first; see per¹ in Indo-European roots) + Latin genitra, birth (from genitus, past participle of gignere, to beget; see gen- in Indo-European roots).]

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primo·geni·tary (-jn-tr), primo·geni·tal (-tl) adj.

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primogeniture

Noun

1. Formal the state of being the first-born child

2. Law the right of an eldest son to inherit all the property of his parents [Medieval Latin primogenitura birth of a first child]

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primogeniture

the quality or condition of being a firstborn child. See also law.

See also: Children

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the rights or legal status of the first born in a family. Cf. postremogeniture.

See also: Law

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

primogeniture - right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son inheritance, heritage - that which is inherited; a title or property or estate that passes by law to the heir on the death of the owner