Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Morganatic

Morganatic , adjective

[Late Latin matrimonium ad morganaticam, from morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, from Old High German morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, German morgengabe. See Morn.]

Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband. — Brande & C