Where does “prerogative” come from?
Prerogative derives from Anglo-Norman prerogative, from Latin praerogativa, meaning a privilege or right granted beforehand, from praerogativus, combining prae- (before) and rogare (to ask).
prerogative (English): A hereditary or official right or privilege; A...
Definitions
- A hereditary or official right or privilege; A...
Ancestry of “prerogative”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anglo-Norman | prerogative | prerogative |
| 2 | Latin | praerogātīva | The tribe or century to which it fell by lot to vote first in the Comitia |
| 3 | Latin | praerogativus | That is asked before others for one's opinion,... |
| 4 | Latin | praerogō | to ask before someone else, ask first |
| 5 | Latin | prae- | before; in front; in charge |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | prai- | pre-, before |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |