prerogative

Alternative forms

• prærogative (obsolete)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman prerogative (noun), from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”), noun use of the feminine singular of praerogātīvus (“having first vote; privileged”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɹɪˈɹɒɡ.ə.tɪv/
• (US) IPA^(key): /pɹəˈɹɑɡ.ə.tɪv/, /pəˈɹɑ.ɡə.tɪv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

prerogative (plural prerogatives)

1. A hereditary or official right or privilege.
2. A right, or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgement.
3. A right, generally.
   • 2002, Patrick Robinson, The Shark Mutiny, page 48:

     "Ah, that's your prerogative as an Intelligence officer, Jimmy. But it's been your prerogative for weeks, months, and nothing has happened, as I told you […] "

   • 2004, Joel Osteen, Your best life now: 7 steps to living at your full potential, page 92:

     If you want to wear your hair a certain way, that's your prerogative. You don't have to check with all your friends to make sure it's okay.

   • 2005, Tracy Hogg, Melinda Blau, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate, page 56:

     If you choose another approach — that's your prerogative. But the problem is that parents often don't realize they're making the choice […]

4. A property, attribute or ability which gives one a superiority or advantage over others; an inherent advantage or privilege; a talent.

Adjective

prerogative (comparative more prerogative, superlative most prerogative)

1. Having a hereditary or official right or privilege.

References

• “prerogative” in John A. Simpson and Edward S. C. Weiner, editors, The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989, →ISBN.

Noun

prerogative f pl

1. plural of prerogativa

Anagrams

• riporgevate

Etymology

Either inherited from Old French prerogative or independently borrowed from Latin praerogativa.

Noun

prerogative f (plural prerogatives)

1. prerogative; privilege

Adjective

prerogative f sg

1. feminine singular of prerogatif

Etymology

First known attestation 1234 by Huon de Meri in Le tornoiement de l'Antéchrist. Borrowed from Latin praerogātīva (“previous verdict; claim, privilege”).

Noun

prerogative f (oblique plural prerogatives, nominative singular prerogative, nominative plural prerogatives)

1. prerogative (right or privilege)