An example of prerogative is the ability of a citizen in the United States to choose whether or not to vote.
- a prior or exclusive right or privilege, esp. one peculiar to a rank, class, etc.
- a distinctively superior advantage
- Obs. priority or precedence
Origin of prerogativeMiddle English prerogatif ; from Middle French ; from Classical Latin praerogativa, called upon to vote first ; from praerogare, to ask before ; from prae-, before + rogare, to ask: see rogation
- An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. See Synonyms at right.
- The exclusive right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge: “Encyclicals became direct exercises of papal prerogative” (Garry Wills).
Origin of prerogativeMiddle English, from Old French, from Latin praerogat&imacron;va, feminine of praerogat&imacron;vus, asked first, from praerogatus, past participle of praerogare, to ask before : prae-, pre- + rogare, to ask; see reg- in Indo-European roots.
- A hereditary or official right or privilege.
- A right, or power that is exclusive to a monarch etc, especially such a power to make a decision or judgement.
- A right, generally
- A property, attribute or ability which gives one a superiority or advantage over others; an inherent advantage or privilege; a talent.
(comparative more prerogative, superlative most prerogative)