Pierworodnych

Pierworodnych is the genitive plural form of the Polish adjective pierworodny, which means eldest or firstborn. The word pierworodny can function as an adjective (pierworodny syn, pierworodna córka) or as a noun referring to the eldest child. The form pierworodnych appears in phrases that refer to more than one firstborn, for example powszechnie in constructions like prawa pierworodnych or status pierworodnych dzieci.

Etymology and meaning: pierworodny is built from the prefix pierwo- (first) and the root related to birth or being born, conveying the sense “the one born first.” The term is used to describe birth order within a family and to distinguish the eldest child from younger siblings.

Usage and contexts: In contemporary Polish, pierworodny is used in everyday language to designate the eldest child. It can describe individuals (pierworodny syn), roles (pierworodny odpowiednik w rodzinie), or inherited contexts (prawa pierworodnych). The form pierworodnych is common when referring to a group of firstborns or to possessive or descriptive phrases in the genitive or accusative plural.

Historical and religious notes: In historical or religious texts, pierworodny translates the concept “firstborn.” While primogeniture was not a standard rule in Polish history, the eldest child often appeared in discussions of inheritance and family leadership, and the term remains widely used in genealogical, legal, and literary contexts.

See also: firstborn, birth order, elder, genealogy.