rotten borough

American  

noun

1. (before the Reform Bill of 1832) any English borough that had very few voters yet was represented in Parliament.

2. an election district that has more representatives in a legislative body than the number of its constituents would normally call for.

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rotten borough British  

noun

1. (before the Reform Act of 1832) any of certain English parliamentary constituencies with only a very few electors Compare pocket borough

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Etymology

Origin of rotten borough

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

His "rotten borough," with its immemorial animalism, its "idiot," its saints, is propaganda of the universal order.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lord Verney, for a seat in the privy council, was induced to give him a "rotten borough."

From Beacon Lights of History, Volume 09 European Statesmen by Lord, John

Unfortunately for his own peace of mind, Mr. Gordon identified himself with a rotten borough.

From Western Worthies A Gallery of Biographical and Critical Sketches of West of Scotland Celebrities by Jeans, J. Stephen (James Stephen)

He will find no quiet clique of the exclusive, studious and cultured; no rotten borough of the arts. 

From Memories and Portraits by Stevenson, Robert Louis

"The vile rotten borough of Bletchingley," he calls it, and adds, from a Godstone inn, that it is "happily for Godstone out of sight."

From Highways and Byways in Surrey by Thomson, Hugh