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morganatic

morganatic definition

mor·ga·natic (môr′gə nat′ik)

adjective

designating or of a form of marriage between a royal or noble person and a person of inferior rank, with the provision that neither the spouse of inferior rank nor the children of the marriage, if any, may lay claim to the rank or property of the other spouse

Etymology: < ML (matrimonium ad) morganaticam, (marriage with) morning gift < morganaticum, altered < OHG morgengeba, morning gift, gift given to the wife on the day after marriage (in lieu of any share in the husband's property)

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