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gerrymander

gerrymander definition

☆ ger·ry·man·der (jer′ē man′dər; orig. ger′-)

transitive verb

to divide (a voting area) so as to give one political party a majority in as many districts as possible or weaken the voting strength of an ethnic or racial group, urban population, etc.
to manipulate unfairly so as to gain advantage

Etymology: satirical coinage after Elbridge Gerry, governor of Mass. when the method was employed (1812) + (sala)mander (the shape of the redistricted Essex County)

intransitive verb

to engage in gerrymandering

noun

a redistricting of voting districts to the advantage of one party or disadvantage of a group, region, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.