n.
Pronunciation: ' s ə -frij, sometimes -f ə -rij
Function: noun
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin suffragium, from Latin, vote, political support, from suffragari to support with one's vote; in other senses, from Latin suffragium
Date: 14th century
1 : a short intercessory prayer usually in a series
2 : a vote given in deciding a controverted question or electing a person for an office or trust
3 : the right of voting : FRANCHISE also : the exercise of such right