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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 © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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