also: せいてき
noun
legal wife; legitimate child; main family line
Historical term referring to the primary wife, her offspring, or the legitimate lineage in a family or clan. Rare in modern everyday language; mostly encountered in historical or literary contexts.
正嫡の子として、彼は家督を継ぐことが決まっていた。
As the child of the legal wife, he was destined to inherit the family headship.
歴史書には、正嫡と側室の
In historical records, the distinction between the legal wife and concubines is clearly noted.
Compound of 正 (correct, legitimate) and 嫡 (legitimate wife/child). The reading せいちゃく is the standard on'yomi combination; せいてき is an alternate on'yomi reading for 嫡.