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Ballot

 - 4 dictionary results

bal⋅lot

  [bal-uht] noun, verb, -lot⋅ed, -lot⋅ing.
Use Ballot in a Sentence
–noun
1. a slip or sheet of paper, cardboard, or the like, on which a voter marks his or her vote.
2. the method of secret voting by means of printed or written ballots or by means of voting machines.
3. voting in general, or a round of voting: Our candidate was defeated on the third ballot.
4. the list of candidates to be voted on: They succeeded in getting her name placed on the ballot.
5. the right to vote: to gain the ballot after years of struggle.
6. the whole number of votes cast or recorded.
7. a system or the practice of drawing lots: The assassin would be chosen by ballot.
8. (formerly) a little ball used in voting.
–verb (used without object)
9. to vote by ballot: to ballot against a candidate.
10. to draw lots: to ballot for places.
–verb (used with object)
11. to canvass or solicit (a group, membership, etc.) for votes: Members were balloted on the resolution.
12. to select, esp. for military service, by ballot: Certain age groups will not be balloted at this time.
Origin:
1540–50; (< MF ballotte) < It ballotta (prob. < Venetian), equiv. to ball(a) ball 1 + -otta dim. suffix

Related forms:
bal⋅lot⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Ballot
bal·lot   (bāl'ət)   
n.  

  1. A sheet of paper or a card used to cast or register a vote, especially a secret one.

  2. The act, process, or method of voting, especially in secret.

  3. A list of candidates running for office; a ticket.

  4. The total of all votes cast in an election.

  5. The right to vote; franchise.

  6. A small ball once used to register a secret vote.

intr.v.   bal·lot·ed, bal·lot·ing, bal·lots

  1. To cast a ballot; vote.

  2. To draw lots.


[Italian ballotta, a small ball used to register a vote, diminutive of dialectal balla, ball, of Germanic origin; see bhel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
bal'lot·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

ballot 
1549, from It. pallotte, dim. of palla "ball," for small balls used as counters in secret voting (see balloon). Earliest references are to Venice.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

ballot

see stuff the ballot box.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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