privilege

noun privileges · priviledg · priviledge

1. countable, historical, uncountable An exemption from certain laws granted by the Pope.
2. countable A particular benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity enjoyed by some but not others; a prerogative, preferential treatment. All first-year professors here must teach four courses a term, yet you're only teaching one! What entitled you to such a privilege?

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

3. countable, uncountable An especially rare or fortunate opportunity; the good fortune (to do something). 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.
4. uncountable The fact of being privileged; the status or existence of (now especially social or economic) benefit or advantage within a given society. 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.

   Similar: advantage, foredeal

5. countable, uncountable A right or immunity enjoyed by a legislative body or its members. Dr Grigori Loutchansky is – according to a congressman speaking under congressional privilege – a "purported Russian mob figure".

   Similar: immunity

6. US, archaic, countable A stock market option.

   Similar: stock option

7. countable, uncountable A 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. countable, uncountable An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

   Similar: permission

Similar: claim, liberty

verb privileges · privileging · privileged · priviledg · priviledge

1. archaic, transitive To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize to privilege representatives from arrest
2. archaic To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
3. transitive To 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.