enfranchise
pronunciation
How to pronounce enfranchise in British English:
UK [ɪnˈfræntʃaɪz]
How to pronounce enfranchise in American English:
US [ɛnˈfrænˌtʃaɪz]
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- Verb:
- grant freedom to; as from slavery or servitude
- grant voting rights
Word Origin
- enfranchise (v.)
- early 15c., "grant (someone) the status or privilege of citizenship, admit to membership in a town," from Old French enfranchiss-, present participle stem of enfranchir "to set or make free; grant a franchise to;" from en- "make, put in" (see en- (1)) + franc "free" (see franchise (n.)). Generally with reference to voting privileges after c. 1700. Related: Enfranchised; enfranchisement.
Example
- 1. Some on the chinese right want to push elections forward and faster , especially in the cities , seeking to enfranchise workers as a means of promoting party legitimacy .