Princely
/ˈprɪns.li/noun
Appropriate to, resembling, or befitting a prince; also generous or splendid in scale.
Did you know?Princely comes from the same Latin root as *principal* and *prime*, because a *princeps* was originally the “first” or “leading” person, not just a hereditary ruler.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“To put forth, produce, or bring forward; the root behind the idea of being first.”
Latin
Latin
princeps
“The first, foremost, or leading person; later, a ruler or prince.”
Old French
Old French
princier
“Of or pertaining to a prince.”
Middle English
English
princely
“Pertaining to a prince; royal, noble, or stately.”
Modern English
English
princely
“Splendid, generous, or befitting a prince.”