Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRINCE, n. [prins; Fr. id.; It. and Sp. principe; L. princeps; D. prins; G. prinz; Arm. prinç. This word is probably compounded of primus, corrupted, as the Gr. πριν, and ceps, head, Fr. chef; or perhaps of the Celtic Breen, summit, whence W. brenin, king, an exalted one, and ceps. Hence Brennus, the name of a celebrated Gaulish commander. In Pers., پَرِيَنْ barin signifies lofty, or one elevated in place or office.]

1. In a general sense, a sovereign; the chief and independent ruler of a nation or state. Thus when we speak of the princes of Europe, we include emperors and kings. Hence, a chief in general; as, a prince of the celestial host. – Milton.
2. A sovereign in a certain territory; one who has the government of a particular state or territory, but holds of a superior to whom he owes certain services; as, the princes of the German states.
3. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal family; as, princes of the blood. In England, the eldest son of the king is created prince of Wales. – Encyc.
4. The chief of any body of men. – Peacham.
5. A chief or ruler of either sex. Queen Elizabeth is called by Camden prince, but this application is unusual and harsh. Prince of the senate, in ancient Rome, was the person first called in the roll of senators. He was always of consular and censorian dignity. – Encyc. In Scripture, this name prince is given to God, Dan. viii.; to Christ, who is called the Prince of peace, Is. ix. and the Prince of life, Acts iii.; to the chief of the priests, the prince of the sanctuary, Is. xliii.; to the Roman emperor, Dan. ix.; to men of superior worth and excellence, Eccles. x.; to nobles, counselors and officers of a kingdom, Is. x.; to the chief men of families or tribes, Num. xvii.; to Satan, who is called the prince of this world, John xii. and prince of the power of the air, Eph. ii.