appanage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / LiteraryFormal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “appanage” mean?
A grant of land or other source of revenue given by a sovereign or other authority for the maintenance of a member of the royal family or other dependent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A grant of land or other source of revenue given by a sovereign or other authority for the maintenance of a member of the royal family or other dependent.
A customary or natural endowment, perquisite, or privilege; a rightful attribute.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'apanage' is a common variant, slightly more frequent in American English. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In British English, retains a stronger historical/royal flavour. In American English, the metaphorical use (a perquisite) is relatively more common but still rare.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both; primarily encountered in historical texts, literature, or academic writing on feudalism/monarchy.
Grammar
How to Use “appanage” in a Sentence
the appanage of [TITLE/PERSON]an appanage of [STATUS/OFFICE]to grant/give/hold an appanageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appanage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The duchy was appanaged to the king's younger brother.
- Lands were traditionally appanaged to maintain the junior line.
American English
- The territory was appanaged to the sovereign's second son.
- He sought to appanage his supporters with conquered estates.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
adjective
British English
- The appanage lands provided his income.
- He held an appanage dukedom.
American English
- The appanage territory was his to govern.
- Appanage rights were carefully defined in the charter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical studies of monarchy, feudalism, and inheritance laws.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be considered esoteric or deliberately erudite.
Technical
Specific technical term in medieval European history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appanage”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appanage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appanage”
- Misspelling as 'appanange' or 'apannage'.
- Using it to mean 'appendage' (a completely different word).
- Using it in casual contexts where 'perk' or 'privilege' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and is primarily used in historical or formal literary contexts.
They are completely different. 'Appanage' is a grant or privilege. 'Appendage' is a projecting part attached to something larger, like a limb or an addition.
Yes, but it is even rarer. The verb 'to appanage' means to provide with an appanage or grant land/revenue for maintenance.
It is a specific term in European medieval history, referring to the practice of providing for younger sons of royalty through land grants to prevent dynastic conflict.
A grant of land or other source of revenue given by a sovereign or other authority for the maintenance of a member of the royal family or other dependent.
Appanage is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Appanage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈapənɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæpənɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not idiomatic for this rare word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a royal PAN (as in bread pan) being given as an AGE-old right to a prince. An APPANAGE is an ancient grant for a royal's PAN and board.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIVILEGE IS LAND / STATUS IS INHERITED PROPERTY.
Practice
Quiz
In its modern metaphorical sense, 'appanage' most closely means: