entitlement

/ɪnˈtaɪtəlmənt/

Origin: From the verb "entitle," derived from Old French "entitler" and Latin "intitulare," meaning "to give a title to."

Meanings:

1. The right to have or do something:

   • The citizens have an entitlement to free healthcare.

2. The belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges:

   • His sense of entitlement made him difficult to work with.

3. A government program that provides benefits to a specific group:

   • Social Security is an entitlement program for the elderly.

Example Sentences:

1. "The company's vacation policy includes an entitlement of two weeks paid leave per year."
2. "Her entitlement to the inheritance was disputed by other family members."
3. "The politician argued against cutting entitlements for veterans."

Related Words:

• Verb: entitle
• Adjective: entitled
• Noun: title, right, claim
• Synonyms: privilege, prerogative, right, claim, allowance

Memorization Trick:

Think of "entitlement" as "en-TITLE-ment." It's about having a "title" or right to something, whether deserved or not. The "en-" prefix emphasizes that this right is bestowed upon or claimed by someone.