prorogation

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA^(key): /pɹəʊɹəˈɡeɪʃn̩/

Noun

prorogation (countable and uncountable, plural prorogations)

Causing something to last longer or remain in effect longer; prolongation, continuance. [from 15th c.]
(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”.
(politics) The period of such a discontinuance between two sessions of a legislative body. [from 16th c.]
(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.