Plebiscite is a noun that refers to a direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important issue.
The Latin prefix P-L-E-B means ‘the common people,’ much like the word ‘plebeian,’ while scitum (SKI toom) also Latin, means ‘decree’ or ‘resolution.’ Here’s an example of plebiscite in use:
The local plebiscite was greeted with great enthusiasm and passed with overwhelming success. I guess that’s what happens when you ask the public to vote on whether or not they want a parade this summer.
