SUFFRAGE

Etymology

Noun

suffrage (usually uncountable, plural suffrages)

(uncountable) The right or chance to vote, express an opinion, or participate in a decision.

(US) The right of women to vote.

The right to vote for elected officials in a representative democracy.

(countable) A vote in deciding a particular question.

(countable, Christianity) A prayer, for example a prayer offered for the faithful dead.

• Creed of Pope Pius IV

(countable, Christianity) A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong.

(uncountable) Aid, intercession.

Testimony; attestation; witness; approval.

Synonyms

• (right to vote): franchise

Anagrams

• gauffers, gauffres, ruffages

Source: Wiktionary

Suf"frage, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. suffragium; perhaps originally, a broken piece, a potsherd, used in voting, and fr. sub under + the root of frangere to break. See Break.]

1. A vote given in deciding a controverted question, or in the choice of a man for an office or trust; the formal expression of an opinion; assent; vote. I ask your voices and your suffrages. Shak.

2. Testimony; attestation; witness; approval. Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their suffrage the observation made by heathen writers. Atterbury. Every miracle is the suffrage of Heaven to the truth of a doctrine. South.

3. (Eccl.) (a) A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong. (b) A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful departed. Shipley. I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. Creed of Pope Pius IV.

4. Aid; assistance. [A Latinism] [Obs.]

Definition: The right to vote; franchise.

Suf"frage, v. t.

Definition: To vote for; to elect. [Obs.] Milton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition