Privilege

//ˈpɹɪv(ɪ)lɪd͡ʒ// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope. countable, historical, uncountable
  2. 2
    a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all wordnet
  3. 3
    A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment. countable

    "All first-year professors here must teach four courses a term, yet you're only teaching one! What entitled you to such a privilege?"

  4. 4
    a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right) wordnet
  5. 5
    An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something). countable, uncountable

    "I had the privilege to sit near him in the House for a small part of his Commons service and there was an additional device provided to aid his participation in debates."

Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    (law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship wordnet
  2. 7
    The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society. uncountable

    "People who at any other time would cling like glue to their miserable scraps of privilege, will surrender them fast enough when their country is in danger."

  3. 8
    A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members. countable, uncountable

    "Dr Grigori Loutchansky is – according to a congressman speaking under congressional privilege – a "purported Russian mob figure"."

  4. 9
    A stock market option. US, archaic, countable
  5. 10
    A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court. countable, uncountable

    "Your honor, my client is not required to answer that; her response is protected by attorney-client privilege."

  6. 11
    An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users. countable, uncountable
Verb
  1. 1
    To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize archaic, transitive

    "to privilege representatives from arrest"

  2. 2
    bestow a privilege upon wordnet
  3. 3
    To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver. archaic
  4. 4
    To prioritize. transitive

    "“Rolling Stone” is spacious and ethereal but not directionless — it is R&B that privileges mood over structure, soft daubs of feeling over authoritative belting."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English privilege, from Anglo-Norman privilege and Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium (“ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual”), from prīvus (“private”) + lēx, lēg- (“law”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English privilege, from Anglo-Norman privilege and Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium (“ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual”), from prīvus (“private”) + lēx, lēg- (“law”).

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