veto
pronunciation
How to pronounce veto in British English:
UK [ˈviːtəʊ]
How to pronounce veto in American English:
US [ˈviːtoʊ]
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- Noun:
- a vote that blocks a decision
- the power or right to prohibit or reject a proposed or intended act (especially the power of a chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature)
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- Verb:
- vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
- command against
Word Origin
- veto
- veto: [17] Latin vetō meant ‘I forbid’ (it was the first person present singular of vetāre ‘forbid’, a verb of uncertain origin which may be related to Welsh gwadu ‘deny’). It was used in the Roman senate by tribunes of the people as a formula for objecting to proposals, and it was originally introduced into English as part of the terminology of parliamentary procedure.
- veto (n.)
- 1620s, from Latin veto, literally "I forbid," first person singular present indicative of vetare "forbid, prohibit, oppose, hinder," of unknown origin. In ancient Rome, the "technical term for protest interposed by a tribune of the people against any measure of the Senate or of the magistrates" [Lewis].
- veto (v.)
- 1706, from veto (n.). Related: Vetoed; vetoing.
Example
- 1. Mr bush 's veto does not kill stem-cell research .
- 2. It would certainly make his veto seem less momentous .
- 3. A year ago america would have been sure to veto it .
- 4. This time round a proposed fudge would let individual states veto foreign supermarkets , though that may not prove legal .
- 5. Washington has said it will veto the request .