enfranchise

t. [Pref. en, and Eng. fran chise (q. v.).] I. Ordinary Language: 1. To set free from slavery; to manumit. "Even slaves were no sooner enfranchised than they were advanced to the highest posts." -Burke : Abridgment of English History , bk. i., ch. iii. *2. To set free or release from custody. "Sirrah, Costard, I will enfranchise thee."-Shakesp.: Love's Labor's Lost, iii. 1. *3. To set free, release, or disengage from anything which exercises a power or influence over. "Belike, that now she hath enfranchised them, Upon some other pawn for fealty." Shakesp.: Two Gentlemen of Verona, ii. 4. *4. To set free from anything which restrains or enslaves; as a bad habit. "If have the fortitude and resolution to enfran chise himself at once, that is the best."-Bacon: E ays. 5. To make free of a city, corporation, or state; to confer the rights and privileges of a freeman upon. "The English colonies, and some septs of the Irishry, enfranchised by special charters, were admitted to the benefit of the laws."-Davies: State of Ireland. 6. To confer the franchise on; to admit to the rights and privileges of voting for members of Parliament. *7. To naturalize or receive as denizens; to endenizen. "These words have been enfranchised amongst us." Watts . IMG:content-0989.png:[blocks in formation] -ment .] 1. The act of enfranchising or setting free from slavery. 2. The state of being enfranchised or set free from slavery; release from servitude. "That false enfranchisement with ease is found; Slaves are made free by turning round." Dryden: Persius, sat. iii. 3. A release from prison or confinement. "As low as to thy foot doth Ca ius fall, To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber." Shakesp.: Julius Cæsar, iii. 1. 4. A release or deliverance from anything which restrains, confines, or keeps down. 5. The act of admitting to the freedom of a cor poration, city, or state; investiture with the rights and privileges of a freeman. 6. The admi ion to the franchise or to the right of voting.