I. ˈpriv(ə)lij, -lēj noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin privilegium law against or in favor of a private person, from privus private + leg-, lex law — more at private , legal
1.
a. : a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor : special enjoyment of a good or exemption from an evil or burden : a peculiar or personal advantage or right especially when enjoyed in derogation of common right : prerogative
b. : such right or immunity attaching specifically to a position or an office
pled the privilege of his clergy
the peculiar privileges of the diplomatic corps
especially : the immunity from arrest in a civil case and enjoyment of freedom of speech during a session that is accorded to members of most legislative assemblies
c. obsolete : a right of asylum or sanctuary
d. : any of various fundamental or specially sacred rights considered as peculiarly guaranteed and secured to all persons by modern constitutional governments (as the enjoyment of life, liberty, and reputation, the right to acquire and possess property, the right to pursue happiness)
no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States — U.S. Constitution
e. : a condition of legal nonrestraint of natural powers either generally or in respect to a particular case — compare liberty
2.
a. : a grant of a special right or immunity : franchise , patent
a privilege of printing a book
a privilege granted a manor or town
b.
(1) : a law in ancient Rome in favor of or against a private person or after the time of Augustus a law granting a favor or immunity to some person or class of persons
(2) : a preference to priority belonging under Roman and civil law to a creditor by reason of the nature of his claim
3. : a customary payment or gratuity to the master of a ship by way of primage
4. : a call, put, spread, straddle, or comparable maneuver on a stock or produce exchange ; also : right 14a
Synonyms: see right
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English privilegen, from privilege, n.
1.
a. : to grant a privilege or privileges to : invest with a peculiar right, immunity, prerogative, or other benefit
the privileged classes
some privileged institutions
b. : to take a privilege to (oneself)
I privilege myself to believe
2. : to exempt as a privilege : deliver by special grace or immunity — used with from
privilege legislators from arrest
3. archaic : to give authorization for : excuse
kings cannot privilege what God forbade — Samuel Daniel
privilege without penance or disturbance an odious crime — John Milton