privilege

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.

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

2. 2
   noun

   An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).

   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.

3. 3
   noun

   The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.

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

5. 5
   noun

   A common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.

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

6. 6
   verb

   To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize

   to privilege representatives from arrest

7. 7
   verb

   To prioritize.

   “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.

8. 8
   noun

   a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

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”).