enfranchise
en-FRAN-chyz
/ɪnˈfræn.tʃaɪz/
To give the right to vote to a person or group of people; to grant rights or citizenship.
Specifically associated with extending voting rights and constitutional citizenship privileges.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'enfranchir', combining 'en-' (make) and 'franc' (free). The Germanic tribe of Franks possessed full rights of freedom compared to conquered populations, making 'frank' mean 'free'.
Word relationships
- grant voting rights: Grant voting rights is a descriptive phrase, while enfranchise is the formal legal verb.
- disenfranchise: Disenfranchise means to deprive someone of the right to vote.
Commonly confused with
- franchise: Franchise can mean a commercial business model or the vote itself; enfranchise is strictly the verb meaning to grant voting rights.
Word family
- enfranchisement (noun): The granting of the right to vote or citizenship rights.
- enfranchised (adjective): Having the right to vote.
Collocations
- enfranchise voters
- enfranchise women
- fully enfranchise
Example sentences
- "The Nineteenth Amendment moved to enfranchise millions of American women after decades of sustained activism." Constitutional History (History of Woman Suffrage)
- "New electoral reforms were passed to enfranchise young citizens living abroad." Democracy
Memory hook
En-FRAN-chise = make FRANK (free) by giving the vote. Grant the right to vote.
When not to use
Do not confuse with commercial franchising (opening a fast-food franchise).
Fun facts
- The French word 'franc' meant both 'free' and 'truthful' (frank), which is why 'enfranchise' means making someone free in civil society.
Related words
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