Definition of "primogeniture" [pri•mo•gen•i•ture]

• The state of being the first born or eldest child of the same parents. (noun)
• Law The right of the eldest child, especially the eldest son, to inherit the entire estate of one or both parents. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Christ's primogeniture is threefold: (1) From eternity the "first-begotten" of the Father (Col 1: 15); (2) As the first-born of"
• "I am not knocking the traditional family structure because it has it's benefits, but the idea of primogeniture is basically obsolete in today's society."
• "Like other European countries, Norway has inherited a medieval culture of primogeniture, that is, of handing off the family farm (or other assets) to the eldest male child."