prorogation

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman prorogation, Middle French prorogation, and their source, Latin prōrogātiō (extension, postponement).

Pronunciation

Noun

prorogation (countable and uncountable, plural prorogations)

  1. Causing something to last longer or remain in effect longer; prolongation, continuance. [from 15th c.]
  2. (politics) The action of proroguing an assembly, especially a parliament; discontinuance of meetings for a given period of time, without dissolution. [from 15th c.]
    • 2019 September 10, Kate Lyons, “Brexit: chants of 'shame' as suspension of parliament descends into chaos”, in The Guardian[1]:
      There were extraordinary scenes of chaos and anger in the House of Commons overnight as opposition MPs staged a protest against the suspension of parliament for five weeks – a prorogation that the Speaker of the House said represented “an act of executive fiat”.
  3. (politics) The period of such a discontinuance between two sessions of a legislative body. [from 16th c.]
  4. (now rare) Deferral to a later time; postponement. [from 15th c.]

Usage notes

When a legislature or parliament is prorogued, it is still constituted (that is, all members remain as members and a general election is not necessary), but all orders of the body (bills, motions, etc.) are expunged.

Synonyms

See also

Further reading

French

Etymology

From Latin prōrogātiōnem.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (France (Lyon)):(file)

Noun

prorogation f (plural prorogations)

  1. (politics) prorogation

Further reading