prerogative

Definitions

pre- (before, first) + rog (ask) + -ative = 'asked first.' In Roman voting the praerogativa tribe voted before all others, and that lead carried weight. The right to be asked or to act first hardened into a right reserved to one person or office: a prerogative.

Why It Means This

Don't link it to 'arrogant' — they only look alike. The key image is going first: the Roman praerogativa tribe voted ahead of everyone, so to have a prerogative is to have the privileged 'first say.' Today it means a right that is yours alone to exercise: 'It's her prerogative to refuse' means she alone gets to decide.

Common Collocations

• 1.royal prerogative王室特权
• 2.exercise a prerogative行使特权
• 3.exclusive prerogative专有权利
• 4.the prerogative of……的特权

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Hiring and firing staff is the manager's prerogative.

• 2.

  It is the king's prerogative to pardon a prisoner.

Easily Confused

prerogative vs privilege vs right — a right is something everyone is entitled to (the right to vote). a privilege is a special advantage that can be granted or withdrawn (parking privileges). a prerogative is an exclusive right tied to a position or person — only the king has the royal prerogative.