Outpolled

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Obtained a smaller number of votes compared to a rival in an election or poll
2. Was defeated in voting by having less support or fewer votes than the opponent
3. Received a lower tally of votes than another choice in a contest or election

Etymology: "Outpolled" is the past tense and past participle of "outpoll," which means to receive fewer votes than someone else in an election or poll. The verb is built from "out," an Old English word with roots reaching back through Proto-Germanic to Proto-Indo-European, and "poll," which in the sense of a count of votes or people was borrowed into English from Middle Dutch "polle," meaning head or top of the head. Counting heads at an election gave "poll" its meaning of a vote tally. Combining "out" with "poll" follows a common English pattern, as in "outrun," "outnumber," and "outdo," where "out-" signals surpassing or exceeding another. In "outpoll," the sense is of one candidate or option getting more votes than another, so the verb can describe either winning the comparison or, as here, coming second.

Synonyms: outvoted, surpassed