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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Enfranchise Definition, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：grant voting rights (enfranchise)

enfranchise 🔊

/ɪnˈfræntʃaɪz/

vt.

to officially give someone the right to vote in an election.

Enfranchise voting rights: hand casting ballot in polling station

grant voting rights 🔊

➕

/ɡrænt ˈvoʊtɪŋ raɪts/

vt.

To officially bestow upon a person or group the legal right to participate in political elections by casting a vote.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

en- (into) + franchise (freedom); from Old French 'franchise' meaning exemption or right.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'en-' (give) + 'franchise' (a right or privilege) = give someone the franchise to vote or be free.

📖 Example

The new law will enfranchise thousands of young adults, allowing them to vote for the first time in the upcoming election. 🔊 The new law grants thousands of young adults the right to vote, enabling them to vote for the first time in the upcoming election.

🔗 Collocations

enfranchise citizens – to give citizens the legal right to vote

enfranchise women – to grant women the right to vote

enfranchise voters – to officially register people as eligible voters

🔄 Synonyms

franchise (vt.) – to grant a franchise or voting rights to someone.

empower (vt.) – to give someone the authority or power to do something, such as vote.

🚫 Antonyms

disenfranchise (vt.) – to deprive someone of the right to vote.

disqualify (vt.) – to officially prevent someone from doing something, such as voting.

exclude (vt.) – to keep someone from having the right to vote.

🌱 Derivatives

enfranchisement (n.) – the act of giving someone the right to vote.

enfranchised (adj.) – having the right to vote.

disenfranchise (vt.) – to take away someone's right to vote.

📖 Cultural Story

From Old French 'enfranchir' (to set free), based on 'franc' (free). The term became central to British electoral reforms in the 19th century, such as the Reform Acts that expanded voting rights.

Meaning 2：liberate from restrictions (enfranchise)

enfranchise 🔊

/ɪnˈfræntʃaɪz/

vt.

to free someone from restrictions and give them full rights.

Enfranchise liberation: broken chain symbolizing freedom from restrictions

liberate from restrictions 🔊

➕

/ˈlɪbəreɪt frəm rɪˈstrɪkʃənz/

vt.

To free someone from legal, social, or political constraints and grant them full civil rights or autonomy.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new policies aim to enfranchise the migrant community, granting them access to essential public services like healthcare and education. 🔊 The new policies aim to give the migrant community full rights, providing them access to essential services such as healthcare and education.

🔗 Collocations

enfranchise the oppressed – to free people who are treated unfairly from restrictions

enfranchise the disenfranchised – to give rights back to those who have been deprived of rights

enfranchise minority groups – to grant full rights to minority groups

🔄 Synonyms

emancipate (vt.) – to set free from legal, political, or social restrictions.

liberate (vt.) – to free someone from constraints or oppression.

free (vt.) – to release from captivity or restrictions.

🚫 Antonyms

enslave (vt.) – to make someone a slave; to deprive of freedom.

oppress (vt.) – to keep someone in subservience by harsh use of authority.

restrict (vt.) – to limit someone's freedom or rights.

🌱 Derivatives

enfranchisement (n.) – the act of giving someone full rights or freedom.

enfranchised (adj.) – freed from restrictions and given full rights.

disenfranchise (vt.) – to deprive someone of rights or freedom.