prorogation

[ proh-ruh-gey-shuhn ]

noun

1. (in Britain and other parliamentary jurisdictions) the act of proroguing, or discontinuing, a session of Parliament or other legislature:

   This bill has now been presented a number of times, after delay by prorogation and other maneuvers of the government.

2. the act of deferring or postponing something, or of extending it past the end of its term:

   If the landlord does not oppose the prorogation of the lease, the tenant has the right to continue occupying the premises.

3. (in the European Union) the choice, by either party in a dispute, of the jurisdiction deemed most suitable for the case:

   The judge considered the husband's argument that there had been prorogation of jurisdiction in favor of the courts of Poland, and concluded that there had not.

Other Words From

• non·pro·ro·ga·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prorogation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin prōrogātiōn-, stem of prōrogātiō “postponement, prolonging” (from prōrogāt(us) “prolonged,” past participle of prōrogāre “to prolong”) + -iō -ion ( def ); prorogue ( def )

Example Sentences

While he was forced to be with us, he was weary of us, pining for his home, counting the hours to the prorogation.

From Project Gutenberg

On the prorogation of the provincial parliament everything denoted imminent troubles.

From Project Gutenberg

This day the Parliament met again, after a long prorogation, but what they have done I have not been in the way to hear.

From Project Gutenberg

The king replied that he would not interfere with its work either by dissolution or prorogation.

From Project Gutenberg

The house again met in March, in order to complete the business which remained unfinished at the recent prorogation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lag
• moratorium
• postponement
• problem
• setback
• stoppage
• suspension
• wait