privilege

plural privileges · alternative priviledg · alternative priviledge

1. countablehistoricaluncountableecclesiasticalAn exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.First known use 8th c.
2. countableA particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment.First known use 10th c.

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

   1 more example

   Special privileges should be reserved for family and village life, while steps should be taken to prevent families and family ownings from being broken up by inheritance.

   2001, Paul H. Kratoska, South East Asia, Colonial History, page 323

   Synonyms: franchise, immunity, prerogative, right, charter, freelage

3. countableuncountableAn especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something).First known use 14th c.

   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.

   2012, The Observer, letter, 29 April

4. uncountableThe fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society.First known use 14th c.

   South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege.

   2013, The Guardian, 21 Oct, (headline)

   2 more examples

   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.

   1941, George Orwell, The Lion and the Unicorn, Pt. III

   There is no complexity expressed in the feverish discussions of white privilege that periodically grips South Africa's chattering class.

   2013 October 21, Azad Essa, “South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege”, in The Guardian, Guardian Media Group

   Synonyms: advantage, foredeal

5. countableuncountableA right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members.First known use 16th c.

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

   2001, The Guardian, leader, 1 May

   Synonyms: immunity

6. USarchaiccountablebusinessA stock market option.First known use 19th c.

   Synonyms: stock option

7. countableuncountablelawA 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.

8. countableuncountablecomputingAn ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

   Synonyms: permission

present singular third person privileges · participle present privileging · participle past privileged · past privileged · alternative priviledg · alternative priviledge

1. archaictransitiveTo grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize

   to privilege representatives from arrest

2. archaicTo bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
3. transitiveTo 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.

   2022 July 20, Jon Caramanica, “R&B That Sweats, Emotionally and Physically”, in The New York Times