suffrage

noun7

1. •
   The right or chance to vote, express an opinion, or participate in a decision, especially in a democratic election.

   • The issues to be presented to the people of the state were black suffrage and woman suffrage. The Equal Rights Association committed all its limited resources to the Kansas campaign. — 1999
2. •
   The right of women to vote.

   • What role did the House of Commons play in the political life of the nation in the aftermath of suffrage? There is surprisingly little historiography to help answer the question. — 2013
3. •
   A prayer, for example a prayer offered for the faithful dead.

   • I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. — 1564
4. •
   A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong.

   • Lastly, in this suffrage, we intercede for prisoners and captives; we "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them." — 1904
5. •
   A vote in deciding a particular question.

   • Hence, by rendering the suffrages secret in the Roman republic, all was lost; it was no longer possible to direct a populace that sought its own destruction — 1822
6. •
   Testimony; attestation; witness; approval.

   • Lactantius and St. Austin are not afraid to confirm by their suffrage the observation made by the heathen writers, that[…] — 1707
7. •
   Aid, intercession.

   • Retoricyons and oratours, in freshe humanyte Support parrot, I pray you wᵗ your suffrage ornate Of confuse tantum, auoydynge the chekmate — 1521