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n. 1. An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right. See Synonyms at right. 2. The exclusive right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge: "Encyclicals became direct exercises of papal prerogative" (Garry Wills). adj. Of, arising from, or exercising a prerogative. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin praerogātīva, feminine of praerogātīvus, asked first, from praerogātus, past participle of praerogāre, to ask before : prae-, pre- + rogāre, to ask; see reg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pre·roga·tived adj. |
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