Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Prince

PRINCE. (1) One who holds the first, or chief place, or rank; a sovereign; the ruler of a country or state. (2) The ruler or sovereign of a state or territory which he holds of a superior. (3) The son of a sovereign, or the issue of the royal family. In heraldic language, the title of prince belongs to dukes, marquises, and earls of Great Britain, but in ordinary use it is confined to members of the royal family. The only case in which it is a territorial title is that of the Prince of Wales. On the Continent of Europe the title of prince is borne by members of families of very high rank, though not immediately connected with any royal house.