dauphin
oxford
views updated May 18 2018dauphin title of the King of
France's eldest son. XV (
daulphyn,
dolphyn). — F.
dauphin, earlier †
daulphyn — Pr.
dalfin — medL.
dalphīnus (VIII) for L.
delphinus DOLPHIN; orig. a title attached to certain seigneuries.
Hence
dauphiness XVI; see
-ESS 1.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
dauphin
oxford
views updated May 18 2018dau·phin / ˈdôfin/ •
n. hist. the eldest son of the king of France.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
dauphin
oxford
views updated Jun 08 2018dauphin title of the eldest son of the king of
France, from the family name of the lords of the
Dauphiné (first used in this way in the 14th century), ultimately a nickname meaning ‘dolphin’.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES
