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suffrage

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. I ask your voices and your suffrages. (Shak)

2. Testimony; attestation; witness; approval. Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their suffrage the observation made by heathen writers. (Atterbury) Every miracle is the suffrage of heaven to the truth of a doctrine. (south)

3. A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong. A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful departed. 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)

4. Aid; assistance.

Origin: 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.