Prerogative

(-rogʻa-tiv.) [From L. prærogativus, asked for before.) Literally, any exclusive or peculiar right or privilege. The royal or divine prerogative is that special preeminence which is claimed by a sovereign, not only over all his subjects, but over the ordinary course of the common law, in virtue of his regal dignity as a umed to be inherited direct from God. [s. 729]