referendum
UK/.refә'rendәm/US
IELTSC1
Definitions
n.
A general vote by all the people of a country on a single political question.
全民公投；公民投票
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedrefer-again, back
+
-endumcarry, bear, bring
=referendum
Latin referendum = «that which should be referred (back to the people).» From referre (re- + ferre, «to carry back»). The Latin gerundive ending -endum means «to be done.» Originally a Swiss legal term, the referendum is literally something to be carried back to the citizens for their vote.
Common Collocations
- 1.hold a referendum举行公投
- 2.national referendum全国公投
- 3.binding referendum具约束力的公投
- 4.EU referendum欧盟公投
Example Sentences
- 1.
The country held a referendum on EU membership.
- 2.
The referendum result was clear: 60% in favor.