[en.fran.chise] vt -chised ; -chis.ing [ME, fr. MF enfranchiss-, stem of enfranchir, fr. OF, fr. en- + franc free--more at frank] (15c) 1: to set free (as from slavery)
2: to endow with a franchise: as a: to admit to the privileges of a citizen and esp. to the right of suffrage b: to admit (a municipality) to political privileges or rights -- en.fran.chise.ment n