Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess. The English word derives, via the French word prince, from the Latin noun princeps, from primus (first) + capio (to seize), meaning "the chief, most distinguished, ruler, prince".
Read more about Prince: Historical Background, Prince As Generic For Ruler, Prince of The Blood, Prince As A Substantive Title, The Title of Prince in Various Western Traditions and Languages, The Title of Prince in Other Traditions and Languages, The Title of Prince in Religion
Famous quotes containing the word prince:
“A chaplain is the minister of the Prince of Peace serving the host of the God of War—Mars. As such, he is as incongruous as a musket would be on the altar at Christmas. Why, then, is he there? Because he indirectly subserves the purpose attested by the cannon; because too he lends the sanction of the religion of the meek to that which practically is the abrogation of everything but brute Force.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.”
—Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527)