What does "suffrage" mean?

Suffrage: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Eccl.) (a) A short petition, as those after the creed in matins and evensong. (b) A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful departed. Shipley. 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.
  2. 3.Aid; assistance. [A Latinism] [Obs.] The right to vote; franchise.
  3. 4.To vote for; to elect. [Obs.] Milton.

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