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Webster 1913 Edition
Suffrage
Suf′frage
,Noun.
[F., fr. L.
suffragium
; perhaps originally, a broken piece, a potsherd, used in voting, and fr. sub
under + the root of frangere
to break. See Break
.] 1.
A vote given in deciding a controverted question, or in the choice of a man for an office or trust; the formal expression of an opinion; assent; vote.
I ask your voices and your
suffrages
. Shakespeare
2.
Testimony; attestation; witness; approval.
Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their
suffrage
the observation made by heathen writers. Atterbury.
Every miracle is the
suffrage
of Heaven to the truth of a doctrine. South.
3.
(Eccl.)
(a)
A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong.
(b)
A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful departed.
Shipley.
I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the
suffrages
of the faithful. Creed of Pope Pius IV.
4.
Aid; assistance.
[A Latinism]
[Obs.]
Suf′frage
,Verb.
T.
To vote for; to elect.
[Obs.]
Milton.
Webster 1828 Edition
Suffrage
SUF'FRAGE
, n.[L. suffragium.]1.
A vote; a voice given in deciding a controverted question, or in the choice of a man for an office or trust. Nothing can be more grateful to a good man than to be elevated to office by the unbiased suffrages of free enlightened citizens. Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their suffrages the observation made by heathen writers.
2.
United voice of persons in public prayer.3.
Aid; assistance; A Latinism. [Not in use.]