Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Franchise
1.
Exemption from constraint or oppression; freedom; liberty.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
2.
(LAw)
A particular privilege conferred by grant from a sovereign or a government, and vested in individuals; an immunity or exemption from ordinary jurisdiction; a constitutional or statutory right or privilege, esp. the right to vote.
Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning
franchise
of the American people. W. H. Seward.
3.
The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity; hence, an asylum or sanctuary.
Churches and mobasteries in Spain are
franchises
for criminals. London Encyc.
4.
Magnanimity; generosity; liberality; frankness; nobility.
“Franchise in woman.” [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Elective franchise
, the privilege or right of voting in an election of public officers.
Fran′chise
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Franchised
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Franchising
.] [Cf. OF.
franchir
to free, F., to cross.] To make free; to enfranchise; to give liberty to.
Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Franchise
FRAN'CHISE
,Noun.
1.
A particular privilege or right granted by a prince or sovereign to an individual or to a number of persons; as the right to be a body corporate with perpetual succession; the right to hold a court leet or other court; to have waifs, wrecks, treasure-treve, or forfeitures. So the right to vote for governor, senators and representatives, is a franchise belonging to citizens, and not enjoyed by aliens. The right to establish a bank, is a franchise.2.
Exemption from a burden or duty to which others are subject.3.
The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity.4.
An asylum or sanctuary, where persons are secure from arrest.Churches and monasteries in Spain are franchises for criminals.
FRAN'CHISE
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
franchisé
franchisé
French
Verb
franchisé m (feminine singular franchisée, masculine plural franchisés, feminine plural franchisées)
- past participle of franchiser