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Definition of plebiscite - 2 dictionary results

pleb⋅i⋅scite

  [pleb-uh-sahyt, -sit]
Use plebiscite in a Sentence
–noun
1. a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question.
2. the vote by which the people of a political unit determine autonomy or affiliation with another country.
Origin:
1525–35; < F < L plēbīscītum decree of the plebs, equiv. to plēbī (for plēbis, plēbēī gen. sing. of plēbs, plēbēs plebs ) + scītum resolution, decree, n. use of neut. of scītus, ptp. of scīscere to enact, decree, orig., to seek to know, learn, inchoative of scīre to know
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To plebiscite
pleb·i·scite   (plěb'ĭ-sīt', -sĭt)   
n.  

  1. A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal: The new constitution was ratified in a plebiscite.

  2. A vote in which a population exercises the right of national self-determination.


[French plébiscite, from Latin plēbiscītum : plēbis, genitive of plēbs, the people; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots + scītum, decree, from neuter past participle of scīscere, to vote for, inchoative of scīre, to know; see skei- in Indo-European roots.]
ple·bis'ci·tar'y (plə-bĭs'ĭ-těr'ē, plěb'ĭ-sĭt'ə-rē) adj.
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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