/pri rog"euh tiv, peuh rog"-/ , n.
1. an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like: the prerogatives of a senator.
2. a right, privilege, etc., limited to a specific person or to persons of a particular category: It was the teacher's prerogative to stop the discussion.
3. a power, immunity, or the like restricted to a sovereign government or its representative: The royal prerogative exempts the king from taxation.
4. Obs. precedence.
adj.
5. having or exercising a prerogative.
6. pertaining to, characteristic of, or existing by virtue of a prerogative.
[ 1350-1400; ME praerogativus (adj.) voting first, praerogativa (n. use of fem. of adj.) tribe or century with right to vote first. See PRE-, INTERROGATIVE ]
Syn. 1. See privilege .