Vote (?), n. [L. votum a vow, wish, will, fr. vovere, votum, to vow: cf. F. vote. See Vow.]
1. An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer. Massinger.
2. A wish, choice, or opinion, of a person or a body of persons, expressed in some received and authorized way; the expression of a wish, desire, will, preference, or choice, in regard to any measure proposed, in which the person voting has an interest in common with others, either in electing a person to office, or in passing laws, rules, regulations, etc.; suffrage.
3. That by means of which will or preference is expressed in elections, or in deciding propositions; voice; a ballot; a ticket; as, a written vote.
The freeman casting with unpurchased hand
The vote that shakes the turrets of the land. Holmes.
4. Expression of judgment or will by a majority; legal decision by some expression of the minds of a number; as, the vote was unanimous; a vote of confidence.
5. Votes, collectively; as, the Tory vote; the labor vote.
Casting vote, Cumulative vote, etc. See under Casting, Cumulative, etc.