n.
Pronunciation: ' ba-l ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian ballotta, from Italian dialect, diminutive of balla ball ― more at BALLOON
Date: 1549
1 a : a small ball used in secret voting b : a sheet of paper used to cast a secret vote
2 a : the action or system of secret voting b : the right to vote c : VOTE 1A
3 : the number of votes cast
4 : the drawing of lots