Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Suffrage?

\Suf"frage\, n. [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.]
\Suf"frage\, v. t. To vote for; to elect. [Obs.] --Milton.