enfranchise
Enfranchise is defined as to free from slavery or legal obligation, or to give the rights of citizenship.
(verb)An example of enfranchise is to set a slave free.
See enfranchise in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb enfranchised, enfranchising
- to free from slavery, bondage, legal obligation, etc.
- to give a franchise to; specif., to admit to citizenship, esp. to the right to vote
Origin: ME enfraunchisen < OFr enfranchiss-, stem of enfranchir, to set free, enfranchise < en-, in + franchir, to set free < franc: see frank
Related Forms:
- enfranchisement noun
See enfranchise in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb en·fran·chised, en·fran·chis·ing, en·fran·chis·es
- To bestow a franchise on.
- To endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote.
- To free, as from bondage.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English enfraunchisen
Origin: , from Old French enfranchir, enfranchiss-, to set free
Origin: : en-, intensive pref.; see en-1
Origin: + franchir (from franc, free; see frank1)
.Related Forms:
- en·franˈchiseˌment noun
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