entitlement
UK[ɪnˈtaɪ.təl.mənt]US[ɪnˈtaɪ.t̬əl.mənt]
n
the official right to have or do something
n
the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment
Morpheme Breakdown
en
title
ment
en
cause to be
title
right, claim
ment
state or condition of
Etymology
the word 'entitlement' has a clear legalistic lineage. its core, 'title', originates from latin 'titulus', which referred to an inscription or label, later extending to signify a legal claim or right of possession. the prefix 'en-', from latin 'in-', acts to transform this noun into a verb, meaning 'to give a title or right to'. finally, the suffix '-ment', also of latin origin, converts the action into a noun denoting the resulting state or condition. thus, the literal construction 'cause to have a right' evolved into the modern abstract meanings, encompassing both a formal legal right and a psychological sense of deservedness.
Analysis
Structure: en (cause to be) + title (right, claim) + ment (state or condition of)
en- (from latin 'in-', a prefix meaning 'put into' or 'cause to be'), title (from latin 'titulus', meaning 'inscription, label, right, claim'), -ment (from latin '-mentum', a suffix forming nouns indicating a state, condition, or resulting product)
Examples
full pension entitlement usually requires many years of service.
his sense of entitlement made him difficult to work with.
the new law clarified the eligibility criteria for benefit entitlements.