n. [ F., fr. L. suffragium; perhaps originally, a broken piece, a potsherd, used in voting, and fr. sub under + the root of frangere to break. See Break. ] 1. A vote given in deciding a controverted question, or in the choice of a man for an office or trust; the formal expression of an opinion; assent; vote. [ 1913 Webster ]

I ask your voices and your suffrages. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Testimony; attestation; witness; approval. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their suffrage the observation made by heathen writers. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every miracle is the suffrage of Heaven to the truth of a doctrine. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) (a) A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong. (b) A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful departed. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful. Creed of Pope Pius IV. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Aid; assistance. [ A Latinism ] [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The right to vote; franchise. [ PJC ]

v. t. To vote for; to elect. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who advocates the right to vote for women; a woman suffragist. This term was applied mostly to women in the United States prior to the adoption of the 19th amendment to the constitution in 1920, giving women the right to vote. Modern use of this term usually refers to the women who advocated female suffrage{ 5 } in the years prior to 1920. [ PJC ]