tanist


tan·ist

T0036700 (tăn′ĭst, thô′nĭst)n. The heir apparent to an ancient Celtic chief, elected during the chief's lifetime.
[Irish Gaelic tánaiste, second, tanist, from Old Irish tánaise; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]
tan′ist·ry n.

tanist

(ˈtænɪst) n (Historical Terms) history the heir apparent of a Celtic chieftain chosen by election during the chief's lifetime: usually the worthiest of his kin[C16: from Irish Gaelic tánaiste, literally: the second person] ˈtanistry n

tan•ist

(ˈtæn ɪst, ˈθɔ nɪst)

n. the heir apparent to an ancient Celtic chief, elected by the tribe during the chief's lifetime. [1530–40; < Irish tánaiste second, substitute, tanist]