appanage

noun

ap·​pa·​nage ˈa-pə-nij 

variants or less commonly apanage

1

a

: a grant (as of land or revenue) made by a sovereign or a legislative body to a dependent member of the royal family or a principal vassal

b

: a property or privilege appropriated to or by a person as something due

2

: a rightful endowment or adjunct

Synonyms

• boon
• concession
• honor
• privilege

Examples of appanage in a Sentence

use of the grounds was just one appanage he bestowed upon the caretakers of his estate

wealthy people who believe that political power is their natural appanage

Recent Examples on the Web

For everyday purposes, however, Halkbank is a semi-independent appanage of the Turkish government. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 18 Jan. 2023

The states argued that MOHELA, which was created by the Missouri legislature, is a state appanage of sorts and thus gives standing to the state itself. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 15 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French apanage, from Old French, from apaner to provide for a younger offspring, from Medieval Latin appanare, from Latin ad- + panis bread — more at food

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

appanage

noun

ap·​pa·​nage ˈap-ə-nij 

1

: a grant (as of land) made by a ruler to a member of the royal family

2

: a customary right or privilege