Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French prerogative (feminine; also prerogatif, usually masculine, although occasionally feminine in Anglo-Norman) (first half of the 13th cent. in Old French; French prérogative ) privilege accorded to certain dignitaries (1234 in Old French), special right or privilege exercised by the monarch (1307 or earlier in Anglo-Norman), inherent advantage or privilege (late 14th cent. or earlier; rare before second half of the 17th cent.), privileged rank, precedence (c1400 or earlier; now obsolete) and its etymon classical Latin praerogātīva previous verdict or choice, prognostication, omen, prior right, claim, privilege, in post-classical Latin also pre-eminence, superiority (from 8th cent. (frequently from 12th cent.) in British sources), special right or privilege exercised by the monarch (frequently from c1178 in British sources), use as noun (short for centuria praerogātīva or tribus praerogātīva , applied to the century or tribe to which it fell by lot to give its vote first in the Roman comitia) of feminine singular of praerogātīvus prerogative adj. Compare Catalan prerrogativa (1357), Spanish prerrogativa (early 15th cent. or earlier; also †prerogativa ), Portuguese prerrogativa (15th cent.; also †prerogativa ), Italian prerogativa (a1290). In sense 4, short for prerogative court n.With sense 3 and the origin of the Latin word compare the following:1801 A. Adam Rom. Antiq. 91 The box being shaken, so that the lots might lie equally,..the century which came out first gave its vote first, and hence was called Prærogativa... Its vote was held of the greatest importance... Hence prærogativa is put for a sign or pledge, a favourable omen or intimation of any thing future;..for a precedent or example,..a choice,..or favour,..and among later writers for a peculiar or exclusive privilege. With the forms prorogatyue , perogative compare discussion at pre- prefix; compare also post-classical Latin prorogativa (12th cent., 1356 in British sources), Anglo-Norman prorogatif (a1411 or earlier), Anglo-Norman and Middle French prorogative (1439 or earlier).

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman prerogatif pre-eminent (early 14th cent. or earlier), privileged, arising from prerogative (early 15th cent. or earlier; compare Middle French prerogatif conferring a prerogative or privilege (1526 in an apparently isolated attestation), French prérogatif (1842; only in centurie prérogative prerogative century; compare sense 2)) and its etymon classical Latin praerogātīvus appointed to vote first, of or associated with the vote given first, privileged, apparently < post-classical Latin praerogat- , past participial stem of praerogare to ask beforehand, to pay in advance (although this is first attested later (4th cent.); < classical Latin prae- pre- prefix + rogāre to ask: see rogation n.) + classical Latin -īvus -ive suffix. Compare earlier prerogative n., prerogatively adv.

Etymology: < prerogative n. Compare earlier prerogatived adj.