franchise

What it means

1. countableuncountableThe right to vote at a public election or referendum; see: suffrage.
2. countableuncountableA right or privilege officially granted to a person, a group of people, or a company by a government.

   a. 1872, William H. Seward, debate Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the American people.

3. countableuncountableAn acknowledgment of a corporation's existence and ownership.

In a sentence

a. 1872, William H. Seward, debate Election by universal suffrage, as modified by the Constitution, is the one crowning franchise of the American people.

Where it comes from

1. Old Frenchfranchise“freedom”
2. Middle Englishfranchise
3. Englishfranchise

From Middle English franchise, fraunchise, from Old French franchise (“freedom”), a derivative of franc (“free”). More at frank.