formerly, a grant of a province, a lucrative post, or money, made by a monarch or government to a dependent member of a royal family
bishoprics … as appanages for the younger sons of great families — Disraeli
literary a usual attribute or prerogative
as if loveliness were not the special prerogative of woman – her legitimate appanage and heritage — Charlotte Brontë
[French apanage from Old Provençal apanar to support, from ap-1 + pan bread, from Latin panis]