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View synonyms for plebiscite

plebiscite

[ pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit ]

noun

  1. a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.
  2. the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.


plebiscite

/ pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ; ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt; -sɪt /

noun

  1. 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
  2. any expression or determination of public opinion on some matter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


plebiscite

  1. 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.


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Derived Forms

  • plebiscitary, adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of plebiscite1

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, originally, to seek to know, learn, inchoative of scīre to know
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Word History and Origins

Origin of plebiscite1

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
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Example Sentences

In 2017, Cuban human rights activist Rosa María Payá saw an error message for her website “Cuba Decide,” an initiative calling for a national plebiscite on free elections.

From Time

"This plebiscite that was conducted by the New Progressive Party was a political trick to entice people to come out to the polls," Velázquez said.

From Axios

The government in Kiev has denounced the plebiscite as a “criminal farce.”

And yet her call for a plebiscite smacks as much of political despair than a statesman's conviction.

Salmond, therefore, was careful not to promise an immediate plebiscite.

Its protest was, therefore, against that convention which destroys the plebiscite of Southern Italy.

On December 21, the result of the so-called popular plebiscite was announced.

Within three days a senatus consultum was ready recommending the desired change to another plebiscite.

The régime under which this plebiscite will be taken and given effect to is laid down in the annex hereto.

My friend was scornful, and I bribed him to mention the plebiscite to no one, but secretly I was elated and amazed.

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