princeps
noun/ˈprɪn.sɛps/ · /ˈprɪŋ.kɛps/
Etymology Borrowed from Latin prī̆nceps (“first, foremost”). Doublet of prince and principe.
1
Ancient Rome The title of the Roman emperor during the principate.
- Its special characteristics were that the princeps was not governed by any law of procedure or confined to a particular place of judgment and, moreover, had complete freedom in the composition of his consilium.1984, Karl Christ, The Romans: An Introduction to Their History and Civilisation, University of California Press, →ISBN, page 126:
2
One who, or that which, is foremost, original, etc.
3
Media, Printing, Publishing The editio princeps, or first edition of a book.
- Related terms
- prince, principate, principicide