He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman.
--Kettlewell.
The privilege birthright was a double portion.
--Locke.
A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and
liberties. --Burke.
2. (Stockbroker's Cant) See {Call}, {Put}, {Spread}, etc.
{Breach of privilege}. See under {Breach}.
{Question of privilege} (Parliamentary practice), a question
which concerns the security of a member of a legislative
body in his special privileges as such.
{Water privilege}, the advantage of having machinery driven
by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [ U. S.]
{Writ of privilege} (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged
person from custody when arrested in a civil suit.
--Blackstone.
Syn: Prerogative; immunity; franchise; right; claim; liberty.
Usage: {Privilege}, {Prerogative}. Privilege, among the
Romans, was something conferred upon an individual by
a private law; and hence, it denotes some peculiar
benefit or advantage, some right or immunity, not
enjoyed by the world at large. Prerogative, among the
Romans, was the right of voting first; and, hence, it
denotes a right of precedence, or of doing certain
acts, or enjoying certain privileges, to the exclusion
of others. It is the privilege of a member of Congress
not to be called in question elsewhere for words
uttered in debate. It is the prerogative of the
president to nominate judges and executive officers.
It is the privilege of a Christian child to be
instructed in the true religion. It is the prerogative
of a parent to govern and direct his children.
To privilege dishonor in thy name. --Shak.
2. To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption
from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
He took this place for sanctuary, And it shall
privilege him from your hands. --Shak.