n. & v.
n. 1 a the right to vote at State (esp. parliamentary) elections. b the principle of qualification for this. 2 full membership of a corporation or State; citizenship. 3 authorization granted to an individual or group by a company to sell its goods or services in a particular way. 4 hist. legal immunity or exemption from a burden or jurisdiction. 5 a right or privilege granted to a person or corporation.
v.tr. grant a franchise to. franchisee n. franchiser n. (also franchisor).
[ ME f. OF f. franc, franche free: see FRANK ]