appenage
|ap-pen-age|
/ˈæpənɪdʒ/
exclusive provision or grant
Etymology
'appenage' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'apanage', where the prefix 'a-' (from Latin 'ad-') meant 'to' and 'pan' (from Latin 'panis') meant 'bread' or 'provision'.
'appenage' changed from Old French 'apanage' and Medieval Latin 'apanagium' and eventually became the modern English form 'appenage' (also spelled 'appanage' or 'apanage').
Initially, it meant 'a provision (literally "bread") for a younger son', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'a grant of land/revenues' and 'an exclusive right or privilege'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a grant (originally of land or revenues) given by a sovereign or feudal lord to a younger child or junior member of a royal house for their maintenance.
The king granted his younger son an appenage so he could support a household of his own.
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Noun 2
a special right, privilege, or perquisite belonging exclusively to a person, office, or institution.
That ceremonial duty became the appenage of the oldest marshal.
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Last updated: 2025/09/24 07:34