Dictionary

enfranchise

verb en·fran·chise \in-ˈfran-ˌchīz, en-\

: to give (someone) the legal right to vote

en·fran·chiseden·fran·chis·ing

Full Definition of ENFRANCHISE

transitive verb

: to set free (as from slavery)

: to endow with a franchise: as

a : to admit to the privileges of a citizen and especially to the right of suffrage

b : to admit (a municipality) to political privileges or rights

— en·fran·chise·ment \-ˌchīz-mənt, -chəz-\ noun

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Middle English, from Anglo-French enfranchiss-, stem of enfranchir, from en- + franc free — more at frank

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonyms: discharge, disenthrall (also disenthral), emancipate, free, enlarge, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, release, spring, unbind, uncage, unchain, unfetter

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