privilegium

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [priː.wɪˈɫeː.ɡi.ũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [pri.viˈlɛː.d͡ʒi.um]^[1]

Forms

prīvilēgium n (genitive prīvilēgiī or prīvilēgī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from prīvus “single, individual” and lēx “law”, with the suffix -ium.^[2][1][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.^[3] The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant a law aimed at a single person, in Cicero's time against him, as Cicero says the ancients would not have laws passed against private persons, and later in his favour.^[2][5][6] From Seneca it meant a special right, prerogative, and in Ulpian a privileged claim.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a privilege, a private law, a special right granted by the legislator's goodwill.^[7] Medieval Latin used it for an area exempt from the diocesan bishop and for any charter.^[8] It survives in French privilège, and English privilege came in the mid-12th century, “a grant”.^[1][4]

Timeline

• c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables forbid it.^[3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a law against an individual.^[2][3]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of a prerogative.^[2][3]
• mid-12th century – English privilege is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A law for or against one person.^[2]
2. A special right, privilege, prerogative.^[2]
3. (law) A privileged claim.^[2]
4. (Medieval Latin) An exempt area; a charter.^[8]

Related words

• prīvus
• lēx
• English privilege

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill