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privilege

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹɪv.(ɪ.)lɪd͡ʒ/

The English word “privilege” has 11 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
  2. A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.
  3. An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).
  4. The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.
  5. A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.
  6. A stock market option.
  7. A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
  8. An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

verb

  1. To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize
  2. To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
  3. To prioritize.

Etymology

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”). Displaced native Old English frēols (“privilege, immunity”).

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