1.
[syn: morganatic, left-handed]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Morganatic \Mor`ga*nat"ic\, a. [LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam,
fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the
morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan
morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See
Morn.]
Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of
marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man
of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is
stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall
enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband.
--Brande & C. -- Mor`ga*nat"ic*al*ly, adv.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
morganatic
adj 1: (of marriages) of a marriage between one of royal or
noble birth and one of lower rank; valid but with the
understanding that the rank of the inferior remains
unchanged and offspring do not succeed to titles or
property of the superior [syn: morganatic, left-
handed]