plebiscite
[ pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit ]
/ ˈplɛb əˌsaɪt, -sɪt /
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.
Origin of plebiscite
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, orig., to seek to know, learn, inchoative of
scīre to know
Words nearby plebiscite
pleater,
pleb,
plebby,
plebe,
plebeian,
plebiscite,
plebs,
plecopteran,
plectognath,
plectron,
plectrum
Example sentences from the Web for plebiscite
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
See also
referendum
Derived forms of plebiscite
plebiscitary (pləˈbɪsɪtərɪ), adjectiveWord 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
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.