Privilege
WordNet
noun
(1) A special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
(2) A right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
"Suffrage was the prerogative of white adult males"
(3) (law) the right to refuse to divulge information obtained in a confidential relationship
verb
(4) Bestow a privilege upon
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From privilège, from privilegium an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus private + lex, legis, law.
Noun
- A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.
- a common law doctrine that protects certain communications from being used as evidence in court.
Verb
- To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to privilege representatives from arrest.
- To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.