n. 1. A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal: The new constitution was ratified in a plebiscite. 2. A vote in which a population exercises the right of national self-determination. [French plébiscite, from Latin plēbiscītum : plēbis, genitive of plēbs, the people; see pelə-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + scītum, decree, from neuter past participle of scīscere, to vote for, inchoative of scīre, to know; see skei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ple·bisci·tar′y (plə-bĭsĭ-tĕr′ē, plĕb′ĭ-sĭtə-rē) adj. |
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