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pocket borough
noun
- (before the Reform Bill of 1832) any English borough whose representatives in Parliament were controlled by an individual or family.
- an election district under the control of an individual, family, or group.
pocket borough
noun
- (before the Reform Act of 1832) an English borough constituency controlled by one person or family who owned the land Compare rotten borough
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Word History and Origins
Origin of pocket borough1
First recorded in 1855–60
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Example Sentences
In February 1830 the doors of the House of Commons were opened to him through what was then called a “pocket borough.”
From Project Gutenberg
Had it not been for a pocket borough, Burke, that Cicero of English politics, would never have entered the halls of legislation.
From Project Gutenberg
It was their Parliamentary pocket-borough, and only their nominees could be elected.
From Project Gutenberg
Like Gatton, Reigate was a pocket borough, and sent two members to Parliament until 1832, when the two were reduced to one.
From Project Gutenberg
Thereafter, it was storekeeper Lincoln's pocket borough; its ruffians were his body-guard.
From Project Gutenberg
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