\Suf"frage\, n. [F., fr. L. suffragium; perhaps
originally, a broken piece, a potsherd, used in voting, and
fr. sub under + the root of frangere to break. See {Break}.]
1. A vote given in deciding a controverted question, or in
   the choice of a man for an office or trust; the formal
   expression of an opinion; assent; vote.
         I ask your voices and your suffrages. --Shak.
2. Testimony; attestation; witness; approval.
         Lactantius and St. Austin confirm by their suffrage
         the observation made by heathen writers.
                                               --Atterbury.
         Every miracle is the suffrage of Heaven to the truth
         of a doctrine.                        --South.
3. (Eccl.)
   (a) A short petition, as those after the creed in matins
       and evensong.
   (b) A prayer in general, as one offered for the faithful
       departed. --Shipley.
             I firmly believe that there is a purgatory, and
             that the souls therein detained are helped by
             the suffrages of the faithful.    --Creed of
                                               Pope Pius IV.
4. Aid; assistance. [A Latinism] [Obs.]

\Suf"frage\, v. t.
To vote for; to elect. [Obs.] --Milton.