FRAN'CHISE, n. fran'chiz. [See Frank.] Properly, liberty, freedom. Hence, 1. A particular privilege or right granted by a prince or sovereign to an individual or to a number of persons; as the right to be a body corporate with perpetual succession; the right to hold a court leet or other court; to have waifs, wrecks, treasure-treve, or forfeitures. So the right to vote for governor, senators and representatives, is a franchise belonging to citizens, and not enjoyed by aliens. The right to establish a bank, is a franchise.2. Exemption from a burden or duty to which others are subject.3. The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity.4. An asylum or sanctuary, where persons are secure from arrest.Churches and monasteries in Spain are franchises for criminals.FRAN'CHISE, v.t. To make free; but enfranchise is more generally used.
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