plebiscite
[ pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit ]
/ ˈplɛb əˌsaɪt, -sɪt /
noun
a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.
the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.
Nearby words
pleater, pleb, plebby, plebe, plebeian, plebiscite, plebs, plecopteran, plectognath, plectron, plectrum
Origin of plebiscite
1525–35; < French < Latin plēbīscītum decree of the plebs, equivalent to plēbī (for plēbis, plēbēī genitive singular of plēbs, plēbēs plebs) + scītum resolution, decree, noun use of neuter of scītus, past participle of scīscere to enact, decree, orig., to seek to know, learn, inchoative of scīre to know
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for plebiscite
British Dictionary definitions for plebiscite
plebiscite
/ (ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt, -sɪt) /
noun
a direct vote by the electorate of a state, region, etc, on some question of usually national importance, such as union with another state or acceptance of a government programme
any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter
See also referendum
Derived Forms
plebiscitary (pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ), adjectiveWord Origin for plebiscite
C16: from Old French plēbiscite, from Latin plēbiscītum decree of the people, from plēbs the populace + scītum, from scīscere to decree, approve, from scīre to know
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Culture definitions for plebiscite
plebiscite
[ (pleb-uh-seyet, pleb-uh-suht) ]
A vote of an entire nation or other large political unit on an issue of great importance. A plebiscite is not an election, for there are no candidates. Rather, people vote yes or no on a proposition.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.