plebiscite Hear it!

plebiscite Definition

plebi·scite (plebə sīt′)

noun

an expression of the people's will by direct ballot on a political issue, as in choosing between independent nationhood or affiliation with another nation

Etymology: Fr plébiscite < L plebiscitum < plebs, plebs + scitum, decree, neut. pp. of scire, to know: see science

plebiscite Related Forms
ple·bis·ci·tar′y (plə bisə ter′ē) adjective
plebiscite Synonyms

plebiscite

n.

plebiscite Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hold: A plebiscite held in 1969 resulted in the area becoming an Indonesian province.
  • follow: Following a plebiscite in 1956, the British area was formally incorporated into the Gold Coast.
  • use: That is why Mesa used a fraudulent plebiscite to mask the continuing privatization of the energy industry behind promises of nationalization.
  • organize: APDA organized a plebiscite, without state support, held in September 2002, to enable local people to voice their opinions.
  • propose: Hitler could not be sure that he would get the result he wanted from this proposed plebiscite.

Adjective modifier

  • national: In return for this, the bureaucracy, from time to time, presents Stalin with the sanction of a national plebiscite.
  • fraudulent: Sicily is now part of the new united Italy, but this has been brought about by a fraudulent plebiscite.

Modifies a noun

  • question: It was finally agreed to make Integration and Reunification, respectively, the plebiscite questions ( Chem-Langhëë and Njeuma 1980: 51-52 ).
plebiscite Quotes

Nam qui dabat olim imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se continet atque duas tantum res anxius optat, panem et circenses. Time was when their plebiscite elected generals, Heads of State, commanders of legions: but now they've pulled intheir horns, there's only twothingsthatconcernthem: bread and games.

—Juvenal full name Decimus Iunius Iuvenalis

Browse dictionary entries near plebiscite

  1. plebeian
  2. plebe
  3. pleater
  4. pleated
  5. pleat
  6. pleasure principle
  7. pleasure
  8. pleasurable
  9. pleasing
  10. pleased
  1. plebs
  2. plectognath
  3. plectrum
  4. pled
  5. pledge
  6. pledged
  7. pledgee
  8. pledger
  9. pledget
  10. pledgor