Affranchise

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈfɹænˌt͡ʃaɪz/

Definitions

1. To set someone free from slavery or servitude ; to give someone the legal right to vote in elections
2. To liberate a person from slavery or bondage ; to confer the privilege of suffrage on an individual or group
3. To release from slavery or involuntary servitude ; to bestow the right to participate in voting or elections

Etymology: Late Middle English borrowed this verb from Old French, where "afranchir" meant to make free. English took its stem, "afranchiss-", which is why the Old French root shows through in its forms. The French verb combines "a-" with "franchir", meaning to free. The same root gave English "franchise", a privilege or liberty granted to someone. The verb's sense of granting someone the right to vote follows from that older idea of bestowing a liberty.

Synonyms: liberate, emancipate, free