Main Entry: en·fran·chise

Pronunciation: \in-ˈfran-ˌchīz, en-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): en·fran·chised; en·fran·chis·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French enfranchiss-, stem of enfranchir, from en- + franc free — more at frank

Date: 15th century

1 : to set free (as from slavery)
2 : to endow with a franchise: as a : to admit to the privileges of a citizen and especially to the right of suffrage b : to admit (a municipality) to political privileges or rights

— en·fran·chise·ment \-ˌchīz-mənt, -chəz-\ noun