Prince (Lat. princeps), a title appertaining to a sovereign, to his male offspring, or to persons of eminent rank who do not possess the attributes of sovereignty. The word princeps was employed by the Romans to denote a senator of rank who held the office of eustos of the city, and was adopted by Augustus and his successors in the imperial chair as a title of dignity. In England the title strictly belongs only to persons of the blood royal, who receive it by right of birth, and without a'formal investment, as in the creation of dukes or other orders of nobility. The younger sons of the sovereign retain it until another title is conferred upon them, but the daughters remain princesses. A special exception is made in the case of the eldest son, who is created by patent prince of Wales. In France, under the old regime, the title was borne principally by persons of distinction connected with the blood royal. Napoleon I. conferred it upon several of his marshals and ministers. Germany for-nierly comprehended many petty states called principalities, governed by hereditary princes, most of whom at present have no territorial sovereignty.

In Russia, where it was formerly borne by the sovereigns, and elsewhere in Europe, the title is the highest that can be conferred upon a subject.

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Prince, the N. W. county of Prince Edward Island, Canada; area, 736 sq. m.; pop. in 1871, 28,302. It is traversed by the Prince Edward Island railroad. The land is undulating and fertile. Capital, Summerside.