suffrage

noun

1. (uncountable, usually)The right or chance to vote, express an opinion, or participate in a decision, especially in a democratic election.

   “universal suffrage, women's suffrage, negro suffrage”

   “The issues to be presented to the people of the state were black suffrage and woman suffrage. The Equal Rights Association committed all its limited resources to the Kansas campaign.”

2. (US, uncountable, usually)The right or chance to vote, express an opinion, or participate in a decision, especially in a democratic election.

   “What role did the House of Commons play in the political life of the nation in the aftermath of suffrage? There is surprisingly little historiography to help answer the question.”

3. (countable, usually)A vote in deciding a particular question.

   “But the President himself says that " upon him has been devolved, by the constitution, and the suffrages of the American people, the duty of superintending the operation of the executive departments of the Government,”

   “Hence, by rendering the suffrages secret in the Roman republic, all was lost; it was no longer possible to direct a populace that sought its own destruction”

4. (countable, usually)A prayer, for example a prayer offered for the faithful dead.

   “1564, Pope Pius IV (unknown translator), Creed of Pope Pius IV I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful.”

   “As these holy prayers and suffrages following are set forth of most godly zeal for edifying and stirring of devotion of all true faithful Christian hearts […]”

   “In explaining and defending suffrages for the dead, Catholic argument repeatedly involved the assumption of the importance of time.”

5. (countable, usually)A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong.

   “Lastly, in this suffrage, we intercede for prisoners and captives; we "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them."”

6. (uncountable, usually)Aid, intercession.

   “Retoricyons and oratours, in freſhe humanyte Support parrot, I pray you wᵗ your ſuffrage ornate Of confuſe tantum, auoydynge the chekmate”

7. (uncountable, usually)Testimony; attestation; witness; approval.

   “Lactantius and St. Austin are not afraid to confirm by their suffrage the observation made by the heathen writers, that[…]”

   “Every miracle is the suffrage of heaven to the truth of a doctrine.”

   “A careful toilette is a perpetual flattery—it shows that you desire to please, and people like that; for we all attach an undue value to our own suffrage.”