Enfranchisement

en·fran·chise  (n-frnchz)

tr.v. en·fran·chised, en·fran·chis·ing, en·fran·chis·es

1. To bestow a franchise on.

2. To endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote.

3. To free, as from bondage.

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[Middle English enfraunchisen, from Old French enfranchir, enfranchiss-, to set free : en-, intensive pref.; see en-¹ + franchir (from franc, free; see frank¹).]

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en·franchisement n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	enfranchisement - freedom from political subjugation or servitude freedom - the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
	2.	enfranchisement - a statutory right or privilege granted to a person or group by a government (especially the rights of citizenship and the right to vote) franchise legal right - a right based in law right to vote, suffrage, vote - a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment; "American women got the vote in 1920" law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	3.	enfranchisement - the act of certifying or bestowing a franchise on certification empowerment, authorisation, authorization - the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant accreditation - the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards); "a commission is responsible for the accreditation of medical schools" disenfranchisement - the act of withdrawing certification or terminating a franchise