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.
Derivatives:
franchisee n. franchiser n. (also franchisor).
Etymology: ME f. OF f. franc, franche free: see FRANK