dauphin
/ˈdəʊ.fæ̃/
DƏƱ · fæ̃ (2 syllables)
English
Noun Top 28,676
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Definition
The eldest son of the king of France. Under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties, the Dauphin of France, generally shortened to Dauphin, was heir apparent to the throne of France. The title derived from the main title of the Dauphin, Dauphin of Viennois.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English Dauphin, from Middle French dauphin, from Old French dalphin, from Latin delphinus; the modern pronunciation is sometimes remodelled on Modern French. Doublet of dolphin.
Example Sentences
- ""I wish we were back in Tenth Street. But so many children came[…]and the Tenth Street house wasn't half big enough; and a dreadful speculative builder built this house and persuaded Austin to buy it. Oh, dear, and here we are among the rich and great; and the steel kings and copper kings and oil kings and their heirs and dauphins.[…]""
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