privilege

Etymology

From Middle English privilege, from Anglo-Norman privilege and Old French privilege, from Latin prīvilēgium (“ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual”), from prīvus (“private”) + lēx, lēg- (“law”).

noun

1. (ecclesiastical law, now chiefly historical) 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?
3. 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. 2012, The Observer, letter, 29 April
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. 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. 21 October 2013, Azad Essa, “South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege”, in The Guardian, Guardian Media Group
   South Africa's 'miracle transition' has not put an end to white privilege. 2013, The Guardian, 21 Oct, (headline)
5. 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". 2001, The Guardian, leader, 1 May
6. (countable, US, finance, now rare) A stock market option.
7. (law) 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. (computing) An ability to perform an action on the system that can be selectively granted or denied to users.

verb

1. (archaic) 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.