Category:Suffrage

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.]

Defn: the right to vote; franchise.

Suffrage Suf"frage, v. t.

Defn: to vote for; to elect. [obs.] Milton.