Hypertext Webster Gateway: "referendum"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Referendum \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Referendum \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
referendum
n : a legislative act is referred for final approval to a
popular vote by the electorate
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