princeling
princeling Lexical Profile
princeling Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A young prince, or one who rules over a small or insignificant territory.
"The region was once divided among dozens of squabbling princelings before being united under a single crown."
A descendant of a prominent, wealthy, or politically powerful family who enjoys privileged status and influence (especially in contemporary China).
"Many of the firm's lucrative contracts were secured through connections with well-placed political princelings."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word often carries a slightly dismissive or pejorative undertone, implying that the subject's status is minor, unearned, or marked by arrogance. In contemporary journalism, it is widely used to describe the privileged descendants of senior Chinese Communist Party officials.
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century from 'prince' and the diminutive suffix '-ling', which often imparts a belittling or contemptuous nuance.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.