Birthright: meaning, definitions and examples
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birthright
[ ˈbɜrθraɪt ]
legal entitlement
A birthright refers to the rights or privileges one is entitled to by virtue of their birth. This can include inheritance rights, cultural traditions, or the social status one inherits from their family. In many cultures, a birthright may dictate access to land, titles, or responsibilities. It is often perceived as something inherent and inalienable, passed down from generation to generation.
Synonyms
entitlement, inheritance, privilege, right.
Examples of usage
- He claimed his birthright to the family estate.
- In some cultures, the birthright of the eldest son is significant.
- They argued over the birthright laid out in the will.
Translations
Translations of the word "birthright" in other languages:
🇵🇹 direito de nascimento
🇮🇳 जन्मसिद्ध अधिकार
🇩🇪 Geburtsrecht
🇮🇩 hak lahir
🇺🇦 народжене право
🇵🇱 prawo urodzenia
🇯🇵 出生権
🇫🇷 droit de naissance
🇪🇸 derecho de nacimiento
🇹🇷 doğum hakkı
🇰🇷 출생권
🇸🇦 حق المولد
🇨🇿 právo narození
🇸🇰 právo narodenia
🇨🇳 出生权
🇸🇮 pravica do rojstva
🇮🇸 fædd réttur
🇰🇿 туылған құқық
🇬🇪 დაბადების უფლება
🇦🇿 doğuş hüququ
🇲🇽 derecho de nacimiento
Etymology
The term 'birthright' has its origins in Middle English and Old English, where it was originally spelled as 'berthright.' The word is a compound of 'birth,' which derives from the Proto-Germanic word *burthiz and the Old Norse 'börð,' meaning the act of being born or the state of being born. The second part, 'right,' comes from the Old English 'riht,' which means just, fair, or proper. Historically, 'birthright' has been used to denote the rights or privileges associated with one's birth status, especially in terms of inheritance and social standing. In legal contexts, the concept often examines issues around entitlement, such as land and property inheritance, especially in feudal societies. As societies evolved, the concept of birthrights has also been integrated into discussions around social justice and equality, often critiquing the inequalities imposed through birth status.