plebiscite

[ pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit ]

/ ˈplɛb əˌsaɪt, -sɪt /

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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.

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Origin of plebiscite

1525–35; <French <Latin plēbīscītum decree of the plebs, equivalent to plēbī (for plēbis, plēbēī genitive singular of plēbs, plēbēsplebs) + 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

Words nearby plebiscite

pleather, pleb, plebby, plebe, plebeian, plebiscite, plebs, plecopteran, plectognath, plectron, plectrum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use plebiscite in a sentence

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.
‘Give Us a Break!’ Cuban Activists Say U.S. Sanctions Are Blocking Them from Online Services|Vera Bergengruen|November 19, 2021|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.
AOC and fellow progressives counter push for Puerto Rico statehood, propose self-determination|Alexi McCammond|March 5, 2021|Axios
The government in Kiev has denounced the plebiscite as a “criminal farce.”
Inside Putin's Rigged Ukraine Election|Jamie Dettmer|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And yet her call for a plebiscite smacks as much of political despair than a statesman's conviction.
Dilma Rousseff’s Dilemma|Mac Margolis|July 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Salmond, therefore, was careful not to promise an immediate plebiscite.
A Stand-Alone Scotland|Alex Massie|January 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Its protest was, therefore, against that convention which destroys the plebiscite of Southern Italy.
Rule of the Monk|Giuseppe Garibaldi
On December 21, the result of the so-called popular plebiscite was announced.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year|Edwin Emerson
Within three days a senatus consultum was ready recommending the desired change to another plebiscite.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year|Edwin Emerson
The régime under which this plebiscite will be taken and given effect to is laid down in the annex hereto.
Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Volume XII|Various
My friend was scornful, and I bribed him to mention the plebiscite to no one, but secretly I was elated and amazed.
The Little White Bird|J. M. Barrie

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

Derived forms of plebiscite

plebiscitary (pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ), adjective

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural 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.

plebiscite

Origin of plebiscite

Words nearby plebiscite

Words related to plebiscite

How to use plebiscite in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for plebiscite

Derived forms of plebiscite

Word Origin for plebiscite

Cultural definitions for plebiscite