ballot
UK[ˈbælət]US[ˈbælət]
n
a system of voting, especially in secret, or an occasion for doing this
n
the total number of votes cast in an election
v
to vote secretly by marking a paper or using a machine
Morpheme Breakdown
ball
ot
ball
ball
ot
diminutive suffix
Etymology
the word 'ballot' entered english in the mid-16th century from italian 'ballotta', a diminutive of 'balla' meaning 'ball'. this traces back to a germanic root, likely related to old high german 'balla'. the voting method derives from the historical practice in places like venice, where votes were cast using small colored balls dropped into a container. the literal 'small ball' thus evolved into the abstract concept of a secret voting process and the vote itself.
Analysis
Structure: ball (ball) + ot (diminutive suffix)
ball originates from italian 'balla' or 'ballotta', meaning 'small ball'. the suffix -ot is a diminutive suffix of italian/french origin, indicating a small version.
Examples
the leader will be chosen by secret ballot.
she was elected on the first ballot.
the union will ballot its members on the strike action.