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plebiscite


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Definition of plebiscite

noun

  • the direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question such as a change in the constitution: the administration will hold a plebiscite for the approval of constitutional reforms
  • Roman History a law enacted by the plebeians' assembly.

Derivatives

plebiscitary

Pronunciation: /-ˈbɪsɪt(ə)ri/

adjective

Origin:

mid 16th century (referring to Roman history): from French plébiscite, from Latin plebiscitum, from plebs, pleb- 'the common people' + scitum 'decree' (from sciscere 'vote for'). The sense 'direct vote of the whole electorate' dates from the mid 19th century

plebiscite in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of plebiscite in the US English dictionary