noun

1. Archaic any male monarch; esp., a king
2. a ruler whose rank is below that of king; head of a principality
3. a nonreigning male member of a royal family
4. 1. in Great Britain, a son of the sovereign or of a son of the sovereign
   2. any of various noblemen in other countries
5. ☆
   1. a preeminent person in any class or group a merchant prince
   2. Informal a fine, generous, helpful fellow

Etymology: OFr < L princeps, first, chief, prince < *primo-caps, lit., first-taken < primus (see prime) + capere, to take (see have)