̈ɪˈbælət n. & v. --n. 1 a process of voting, in
writing and usu.
secret. 2
the total of votes recorded in a ballot. 3 the
drawing of lots. 4 a
paper or
ticket etc. used in voting. --v. (balloted, balloting) 1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) a hold a ballot;
give a
vote. b
draw lots
for precedence etc. 2 tr.
take a ballot of (the
union balloted
its members). øballot-box a sealed box
into which voters put completed ballot-papers. ballot-paper a slip of paper used to
register a vote. [It. ballotta dimin. of balla BALL(1)]