Dau'phin, n.

n. [Fr. dauphin, Pr. dalfin, properly, a dolphin, q. v. The name was given, for some reason unexplained, to Guigo, count of Vienne, in the twelfth century, and was borne by succeeding counts of Vienne. In 1349, Dauphiné was bequeathed to Philippe de Valois, king of France, on condition that the heir of the crown should always hold the title of Dauphin de Viennois.] The oldest son of the king of France, and heir of the crown. Since the revolution of 1830, the title has been discontinued.