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plebiscite definition

plebi·scite (pleb′ə 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

Related Forms:

  • plebiscitary ple·bis′·ci·tar′y (plə bis′ə ter′ē) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plebiscite Synonyms

plebiscite

n.

poll, referendum, ticket; see election 2, vote 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

plebiscite Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hold: A plebiscite held in 1969 resulted in the area becoming an Indonesian province.

Adjective modifier

  • national: In return for this, the bureaucracy, from time to time, presents Stalin with the sanction of a national 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 usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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

plebiscite quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"plebiscite." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/plebiscite>

APA Style

plebiscite. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/plebiscite

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