gerrymander Hear it!

gerrymander definition

ger·ry·man·der (jerē man′dər; orig. ger-)

transitive verb

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

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Gerrymander -- Once more, with feeling46 years ago

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