Definition of "princeps" [princeps]

• First; original; hence, specifically, earliest printed; belonging to the first edition.
• One who is first or chief; a chief; specifically, in early Teut. hist., a chief judicial officer or leader in a pagus or other division. Attached to him was a body of attendants called the comitatus. (noun)
• That which is first, foremost, original, or principal; especially, the first or original edition of a book: short for princeps edition, or editio princeps. (noun)
• [cop.] [NL.] In entomology, a genus of lepidopterous insects. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "- Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title princeps iuventutis (head of the youth)."
• "“In keeping with his policy of maintaining the appearance of traditional republican government, Octavian refused to be called king or even, like Caesar, dictator; instead, he cleverly disguised his autocratic rule by taking the inoffensive title princeps first citizen.”"
• "PAGE 8: “‘by taking the inoffensive title princeps first citizen’” Marvin Perry, Margaret Jacob, James Jacob, Myrna Chase, and Theodore H."