infante

The young infante plays with a toy ship in the palace garden.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Royal title: An "infante" is a son of a reigning king or queen in Spain or Portugal who is not the heir to the throne (i.e., a prince who is not the crown prince or princess).

Usage Examples

• (A non-heir royal son.)
• (A Portuguese prince not destined to inherit the throne.)

Advanced Usage

• "Infante" in historical context: The term is used specifically for the royal families of Spain and Portugal. It does not apply to other monarchies.
  • In the 16th century, the infante often served as a military commander. (Historical role of a non-heir prince.)

Variants and Related Words

• Infanta (noun, feminine): The female equivalent, referring to a daughter of a reigning king or queen who is not the heiress to the throne.

  • The infanta married a foreign prince to strengthen alliances. (A non-heir royal daughter.)

• Infantado (noun): The estate or lands belonging to an infante.

  • The infante received the infantado as his personal domain. (The territory granted to the non-heir prince.)

Synonyms

• Prince (non-heir): a male member of a royal family other than the reigning monarch or the heir apparent.
• Royal son: a male child of a monarch (used generally, but "infante" is specific to Iberian monarchies).

Related Idioms