disenfranchise

views updated May 17 2018

dis·en·fran·chise / ˌdisenˈfranchīz/ (also dis·fran·chise / disˈfranchīz/ ) • v. [tr.] deprive (someone) of the right to vote: the law disenfranchised some 3,000 voters on the basis of a residence qualification. ∎  [as adj.] (disenfranchised) deprived of power; marginalized: a hard core of kids who are disenfranchised and don't feel connected to the school. ∎  deprive (someone) of a right or privilege: the move would disenfranchise the disabled from using the town center. ∎  archaic deprive (someone) of the rights and privileges of a free inhabitant of a borough, city, or country.DERIVATIVES: dis·en·fran·chise·ment n.

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