Dictionary entry

Ballot

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Bal″lot (băl″lŭt), n. [F. ballotte, fr. It. ballotta. See Ball round body.]

1. Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any printed or written ticket used in voting.

2. The act of voting by balls or written or printed ballots or tickets; the system of voting secretly by balls or by tickets.

The insufficiency of the ballot.

Dickens.

3. The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a given territory or electoral district.

Ballot box, a box for receiving ballots.