tanist

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: tan=ist

CIDE DICTIONARY

tanist, n. [Ir. tanaiste, tanaise, second, the second person in rank, the presumptive or apparent heir to a prince.].

 In Ireland, a lord or proprietor of a tract of land or of a castle, elected by a family, under the system of tanistry.  [1913 Webster]
"This family [the O'Hanlons] were tanists of a large territory within the present county of Armagh."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

tanist, n. hist. the heir apparent to a Celtic chief, usu. his most vigorous adult relation, chosen by election.

Derivative

tanistry n.

Etymology

Ir. & Gael. t{aacute}naiste heir