Definition

1. Noun:
   • The right to vote in political elections: "Suffrage" refers to the legal entitlement to participate in an election by casting a ballot.
   • A vote given in favor of a proposal or candidate: It can also mean the act of voting itself or the expression of a choice by vote.
   • (Historical/Archaic) A prayer or intercession: An older, now less common meaning referring to a prayer, especially one made on behalf of others.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Right to Vote):
  • The 19th Amendment extended suffrage to women in the United States.
  • Universal suffrage is a cornerstone of modern democracy.
• Noun (A Vote Itself):
  • The motion passed with the unanimous suffrage of the council.
• Noun (Archaic: Prayer):
  • The priest offered a suffrage for the souls of the departed.

Advanced Usage

• "to exercise one's suffrage": to use one's right to vote.
  • Citizens must be informed to exercise their suffrage responsibly.
• "manhood suffrage": a historical term for the right to vote granted to all adult males.
  • The reforms of the 19th century gradually expanded manhood suffrage.

Variants and Related Words

• Suffragist (n): A person who advocates for the extension of suffrage, especially to women.
  • The suffragists organized marches and petitions.
• Suffragette (n): Specifically, a woman who campaigned aggressively for women's right to vote, especially in the UK and US in the early 20th century.
  • The suffragettes employed bold tactics to draw attention to their cause.

Synonyms

• Franchise: The right to vote.
• Ballot: The process or right of voting.
• Enfranchisement: The act of giving the right to vote.

Related Phrases

• Universal suffrage: The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of property, race, sex, etc.
  • The country achieved universal suffrage in 1965.
• Women's suffrage: The right of women to vote.
  • The women's suffrage movement was a long and difficult struggle.

Noun

1. a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment
   • American women got the vote in 1920