prerogative
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /pɹɪˈɹɒɡ.ə.tɪv/
ipa: /pɹəˈɹɑɡ.ə.tɪv/
ipa: /pəˈɹɑ.ɡə.tɪv/
Forms: form: prerogatives
form: prærogative
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”).
Senses: glosses: An exclusive hereditary or official right or privilege.
examples: text: Despite being a constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign still retain many royal prerogatives.
text: The military fame of a subject was considered as an insolent invasion of the Imperial prerogative; and it became the duty, as well as interest, of every Roman general, to guard the frontiers intrusted to his care, without aspiring to conquests which might have proved no less fatal to himself than to the vanquished barbarians.
ref: 1776, Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol I, ch 1-pt i:
text: Lord Avonleigh had decided on taking refuge in wounded dignity, when he was again addressed by the King. "The castle holds another prisoner, to whom I intend extending the best prerogative of my crown—mercy. Will you order Robert Evelyn to be brought before me?"
ref: 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XLII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 352:
glosses: A right, or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgement.
examples: text: I hear my chair in the hall; and to keep Lord Marchmont waiting, when he has announced his intention of supping at home, far exceeds my prerogative; so good night, dearest, you will either see or hear from me to-morrow.
ref: 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Reminiscences”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 206:
text: "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 […]"
ref: 2002, Patrick Robinson, The Shark Mutiny, page 48:
text: 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.
ref: 2004, Joel Osteen, Your best life now: 7 steps to living at your full potential, page 92:
text: If you choose another approach — that's your prerogative. But the problem is that parents often don't realize they're making the choice […]
ref: 2005, Tracy Hogg, Melinda Blau, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate, page 56:
text: "I know what is important to Sadiq [Khan, London Mayor], and I know how to explain things to him in a way that maximises our chances of getting the right thing. If he chooses not to take my advice, that is absolutely his prerogative. But he gave me the job, and I intend to pay him back by delivering what he needs."
ref: 2020 December 2, Andy Byford talks to Paul Clifton, “I enjoy really big challenges...”, in Rail, page 55:
text: The problem is — like with the Harris border czar reference, which is still omitted from the czar article (and will almost certainly stay that way) — the consensus it achieves often lines up with the prerogatives of the Democratic Party and the media establishment that supports it.
ref: 2024 August 29, Ashley Rindsberg, “How Wikipedia Launders Regime Propaganda”, in Pirate Wires, archived from the original on 29 Aug 2024:
glosses: A right, especially when due to one's position or role.
glosses: A property, attribute or ability which gives one a superiority or advantage over others; an inherent advantage or privilege; a talent.