Privilegium

In Roman law. A special constitution by which the Roman emperor conferred on some single person some anomalous or irregular right, or imposed upon some single person some anomalous or irregular obligation, or inflicted on some single person some anomalous or irregular punishment. When such privilegia conferred anomalous rights, they were styled "favorable." When they imposed anomalous obligations, or inflicted anomalous punishments, they were styled "odious."

Aust Jur. § 748.

In modern civil law, "privilegium" is said to denote, in its general sense, every peculiar right or favor granted by the law, contrary to the common rule.

Mackeld. Rom. Law, § 197.

A species of lien or claim upon an article of property, not depeudent upon possession, but continuing until either satisfied or released. Such ls the lien, recognized by modern maritime law, of seamen upon the ship for their wages.

2 Pars. Mar. Law, 561.