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

/ -sɪt; pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ; ˈplɛbɪˌsaɪt /

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

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.

Derived Forms

• plebiscitary, adjective

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

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

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.”

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• election
• poll
• polling
• referendum
• slate
• tally
• ticket