prerogative

The definition of a prerogative is an exclusive right or a privilege.

(noun)

An example of prerogative is the ability of a citizen in the United States to choose whether or not to vote.

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See prerogative in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a prior or exclusive right or privilege, esp. one peculiar to a rank, class, etc.
  2. a distinctively superior advantage
  3. Obsolete priority or precedence

Origin: ME prerogatif < MFr < L praerogativa, called upon to vote first < praerogare, to ask before < prae-, before + rogare, to ask: see rogation

adjective

of or having a prerogative

See prerogative in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. See Synonyms at right.
  2. The exclusive right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge: the principal's prerogative to suspend a student.
  3. A special quality that confers superiority.
adjective
Of, arising from, or exercising a prerogative.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin praerogātīva

Origin: , feminine of praerogātīvus, asked first

Origin: , from praerogātus

Origin: , past participle of praerogāre, to ask before

Origin: : prae-, pre-

Origin: + rogāre, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • pre·rogˈa·tived adjective

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