Morganatic Marriage

According to M., Ducange has connected this expression with *morgingab*; but I have looked in vain for such connection in my edition of the *Glossary* (Paris, 1733). The truth most probably is, that *morganatic*, in the phrase "matrimonium ad morganaticam," was akin to the Gothic *maurgjan*, signifying, "to procrastinate," "to bring to an end," "to shorten," "to limit." This application of the word would naturally rise out of the restrictions imposed upon the wife and children of a morganatic marriage.