1. \Prince\, n. [F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first,
   chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and
   {Capacious}.]
   1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and
      authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied
      to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
      --Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).
   
            Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince. --Milton.
   
            Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
                                                  --Camden.
   
   2. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal
      family; as, princes of the blood. --Shak.
   
   3. A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in
      different countries. In England it belongs to dukes,
      marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal
      family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a
      member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is
      always one of the royal family.
   
   4. The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class
      or profession; one who is pre["e]minent; as, a merchant
      prince; a prince of players. ``The prince of learning.''
      --Peacham.
   
   {Prince-Albert coat}, a long double-breasted frock coat for
      men.
   
   {Prince of the blood}, {Prince consort}, {Prince of
   darkness}. See under {Blood}, {Consort}, and {Darkness}.
   
   {Prince of Wales}, the oldest son of the English sovereign.
   
   
   {Prince's feather} (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs
      ({Amarantus caudatus} and {Polygonum orientale}), with
      apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved
      panicled spikes.
   
   {Prince's metal}, {Prince Rupert's metal}. See under {Metal}.
   
   {Prince's pine}. (Bot.) See {Pipsissewa}.
   
   

2. \Prince\, v. i.
   To play the prince. [R.] --Shak.
   
   

the title generally applied to the chief men of the state. The "princes of the provinces" (1 Kings 20:14) were the governors or lord-lieutenants of the provinces. So also the "princes" mentioned in Dan. 6:1, 3, 4, 6, 7 were the officers who administered the affairs of the provinces; the "satraps" (as rendered in R.V.). These are also called "lieutenants" (Esther 3:12; 8:9; R.V., "satraps"). The promised Saviour is called by Daniel (9:25) "Messiah the Prince" (Heb. nagid); compare Acts 3:15; 5:31. The angel Micheal is called (Dan. 12:1) a "prince" (Heb. sar, whence "Sarah," the "princes").