prī̆nceps

From Proto-Italic *priisemokaps by syncope. By surface analysis, prīmus (“first”) +‎ -ceps (“catcher”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈpriːn.keps/, [ˈpriːŋkɛps̠] or IPA^(key): /ˈprin.keps/, [ˈprɪŋkɛps̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈprin.t͡ʃeps/, [ˈprin̠ʲt͡ʃeps]
• Note: the length of the first vowel might have varied, being subject to one or more rounds of Osthoff's Law which shortens vowels before an /n/ in the same syllable. Ancient Greek πρῖγκιψ (prînkips) shows there was a pronunciation with long /ī/, which must have been maintained by analogy with prīmus, but an archaic Italian form prence points to a form in /ĭ/. See also Italian prencipe, an alternative form of principe.

Adjective

prī̆nceps (genitive prī̆ncipis); third-declension one-termination adjective

1. first, foremost [ quotations ▼]
2. chief, distinguished

Declension

Third-declension one-termination adjective.

Number	Singular			Plural
Case / Gender	Masc./Fem.	Neuter		Masc./Fem.	Neuter
Nominative	prī̆nceps			prī̆ncipēs	prī̆ncipia
Genitive	prī̆ncipis			prī̆ncipium
Dative	prī̆ncipī			prī̆ncipibus
Accusative	prī̆ncipem	prī̆nceps		prī̆ncipēs	prī̆ncipia
Ablative	prī̆ncipī			prī̆ncipibus
Vocative	prī̆nceps			prī̆ncipēs	prī̆ncipia

Synonyms

• (first): prīmus

Derived terms

• prī̆nceps cīvitātis (“first citizen”) (a title of the Roman Emperors, beginning with Caesar Augustus)

Noun

prī̆nceps m or f (genitive prī̆ncipis); third declension

1. a leader, first man or woman, head [ quotations ▼]
2. a principal person
3. an author, originator, founder
4. a chief, director
5. a prince, sovereign
6. (military, in the plural) company or division of the second line of soldiers

Declension

Third-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	prī̆nceps	prī̆ncipēs
Genitive	prī̆ncipis	prī̆ncipum
Dative	prī̆ncipī	prī̆ncipibus
Accusative	prī̆ncipem	prī̆ncipēs
Ablative	prī̆ncipe	prī̆ncipibus
Vocative	prī̆nceps	prī̆ncipēs