Privilege
Privilege , noun
[French privilège, Latin privilegium an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus private + lex, legis, law. See Private, and Legal.]
1.
A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.
He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman.
The privilege birthright was a double portion.
A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and liberties.
Collocations (4)
Breach of privilege , See under Breach.
Question of privilege (Parliamentary practice) , a question which concerns the security of a member of a legislative body in his special privileges as such.
Water privilege , the advantage of having machinery driven by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [United States]
Writ of privilege (Law) , a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit. — Blackstone
Privilege , transitive verb
[Compare French privilégier.]
1.
To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest.
To privilege dishonor in thy name.
2.
To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
He took this place for sanctuary, And it shall privilege him from your hands.