Privilege

n. [Fr. privilége, Pr. privilegi, Sp., Pg., & It. privilegio, Lat. privilegium, an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual, from privus, private, and lex, legis, law.] A peculiar benefit or advantage; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; prerogative; advantage.

He pleads the legal privilege of the Roman. Kettlewell.

The privilege of birthright was a double portion. Locke.

Question of privilege (Parliamentary Usage), a question which concerns the security of a member of a legislative body in his special privileges as such. — Water privilege, the advantage of a waterfall in streams sufficient to raise water for driving water-wheels, or a place affording such advantage. [U. S.] — Writ of privilege (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit. Blackstone.

Synonyms— Prerogative; immunity; franchise; right; claim; liberty. — PRIVILEGE, PREROGATIVE. Privilege, among the Romans, was something conferred upon an individual by a private law; and, hence, it denotes some peculiar benefit or advantage, some right or immunity, not enjoyed by the world at large. Prerogative, among the Romans, was the right of voting first; and, hence, it denotes a right of precedence, or of doing certain acts, or enjoying certain privileges, to the exclusion of others. It is the privilege of a member of Congress not to be called in question elsewhere for words uttered in debate. It is the prerogative of the president to ratify treaties, with the consent of the Senate. It is the privilege of a Christian child to be instructed in the true religion. It is the prerogative of a parent to govern and direct his offspring.

He claims his privilege, and says ’tis fit Nothing should be the judge of wit but wit. Denham.

Our prerogative Calls not your counsels, but our natural goodness Imparts this. Shak.