PRINCE is the Latin word princeps, which was originally used to denote the person who was entitled Princeps Senatfis in the Roman State. He seems to have been originally the custos of the city, and his office was one of importance. Sub sequently it became a title of dignity, and the princeps was named by the censors. (Liv., xxvii. 2.) Augustus adopted the title of princeps, as a name that carried no odium with it (Tacitus, Annal., i. 1) ; and this became henceforward the title of the master of the Roman world. Ac cordingly the constitutions of the em perors are called Principum (Gains, i. 2), or Principales. The word priuceps is formed similarly to anceps, municeps, &c., and contains the same element as "pri mus." The word prince, which is de rived from princeps, is now applied to persons who have personal pre-eminence, and especially to certain sovereigns of small states who possess sovereign power ; and also to others who possess the title without sovereign power or anything that distinguishes them politically from other nobles or persons who enjoy privileges. But the word seems not to have acquired so definite a sense as that which belongs to king, duke. marquis, earl, and some others
of the class ; but rather to denote persons of high rank in certain states, as in Prussia, Russia, Italy, and other conti nental states, or persons who are junior members of sovereign houses.
In England it has sometimes been the practice of the heralds to speak of a duke as the high and mighty prince ; but the word seems rather to be restricted among us in its application to persons who are of the blood-royal, that is, a son, grandson, or nephew of a king; and it would pro bably be extended to the remote male posterity of such persons, though no case has arisen in the course of the last three centuries. But in its application it is merely a term of common language, not being conferred, like the title of duke, in any formal manner ; and even the pre cedence which is given to blood-royal has respect to birth, and not to the enjoyment of this word as a title of honour. The eldest son of the king or queen regnant is made Prince of Wales by creation.