prerogative

Where does the word "prerogative" come from? It comes from Latin rogare, passing through Latin before entering English (1300s).

Prerogative’s story begins in Latin: rogare meant “to ask.” To ask, combined with prae- (before). Within Latin, it grew into praerogare by ancient. To ask before others, from prae- and rogare. By ancient, Latin speakers had reshaped it into praerogativa. The right to vote first, a special privilege, from praerogare. It reached English by 1300s as prerogative. Settled as the English word for an exclusive right or privilege. Today, prerogative means an exclusive right or privilege belonging to a particular person or group.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient rogare "to ask", to ask, combined with prae- (before).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient praerogare "to ask before others", to ask before others, from prae- and rogare.
3. Stage 3 · Latin · ancient praerogativa "the right to vote first, a special privilege", the right to vote first, a special privilege, from praerogare.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s prerogative "an exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group", settled as the English word for an exclusive right or privilege.