appanage
/ˈap(ə)nɪdʒ
/(also apanage)
noun
1 historical A provision made for the maintenance of the younger children of kings and princes, consisting of a gift of land, an official position, or money.The West Saxon kings used Kent as a sort of appanage to be ruled as subkingdoms by West Saxon princes....
- When in 1254 he created an apanage for his eldest son, Edward, two of its principal components were the lordship of Ireland and the earldom of Chester, within which was comprised several Welsh lordships.
- Against repeated rebellions he maintained the integrity of his mother's appanage of Aquitaine.
1.1 archaic A benefit or right belonging to someone; a perquisite: the appanages of her rank...
- Perhaps the only reform he will have to consider in the future is how far down the line the apanage of Royal Highness will continue, for the King's family is a large one and growing steadily!
Origin
Early 17th century: from French, based on medieval Latin appanare 'provide with the means of subsistence', from ad- 'to' + panis 'bread'.