appanage

noun

ap·​pa·​nage ˈa-pə-nij How to pronounce appanage (audio)
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

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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appanage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of appanage was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near appanage

Cite this Entry

“Appanage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appanage. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

appanage

noun
ap·​pa·​nage ˈap-ə-nij How to pronounce appanage (audio)
1
: a grant (as of land) made by a ruler to a member of the royal family
2
: a customary right or privilege

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