Ref`er*en"dum (?), n.; pl. -
da (#). [Gerundive fr. L. referre. See Refer.]
The principle or practice of referring measures passed upon by
the legislative body to the body of voters, or electorate, for
approval or rejection, as in the Swiss cantons (except Freiburg) and
in various local governments in the United States, and also in the
local option laws, etc.; also, the right to so approve or reject laws,
or the vote by which this is done. Referendum is distinguished
from the mandate, or instruction of representatives by the
people, from direct government by the people, in which they
initiate and make the laws by direct action without representation,
and from a plebiscite, or popular vote taken on any measure
proposed by a person or body having the initiative but not
constituting a representative or constituent body.
||Ref`er*en"dum (r?f`?r*?n"d?m), n.
[Gerundive fr. L. referre. See Refer.]
1. A diplomatic agent's note asking for
instructions from his government concerning a particular matter or
point.
2. The right to approve or reject by popular
vote a meassure passed upon by a legislature.
Ref`er*en"dum (?), n.; pl. -
da (#). [Gerundive fr. L. referre. See Refer.]
The principle or practice of referring measures passed upon by
the legislative body to the body of voters, or electorate, for
approval or rejection, as in the Swiss cantons (except Freiburg) and
in various local governments in the United States, and also in the
local option laws, etc.; also, the right to so approve or reject laws,
or the vote by which this is done. Referendum is distinguished
from the mandate, or instruction of representatives by the
people, from direct government by the people, in which they
initiate and make the laws by direct action without representation,
and from a plebiscite, or popular vote taken on any measure
proposed by a person or body having the initiative but not
constituting a representative or constituent body.
