v.
Pronunciation: in- ' fran- ˌ ch ī z, en-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -chised ; -chis · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enfranchiss-, stem of enfranchir, from en- + franc free ― more at FRANK
Date: 15th century
1 : to set free (as from slavery)
2 : to endow with a franchise: as a : to admit to the privileges of a citizen and especially to the right of suffrage b : to admit (a municipality) to political privileges or rights
– en · fran · chise · ment \ - ˌ ch ī z-m ə nt, -ch ə z- \ noun