FACULTY, in law, a privilege granted to a person, by
favour and indulgence, of doing what, by law, he ought not to do.
For granting these privileges, there is a court under the archbishop of Canterbury, called the court of the faculties, the chief officer whereof is styled master of the faculties; who has a power of granting dispensations in divers cases, as to marry without the bans being first published; to eat flesh on days prohibited; to ordain a deacon under age; for a son to succeed his father in his benefice; a clerk to hold two or more livings, &c.