—n.
1 a process of voting, in writing and usu. secret.
2 the total of votes recorded in a ballot.
3 the drawing of lots.
4 a paper or ticket etc. used in voting.
—v. (balloted, balloting)
1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) a hold a ballot; give a vote. b draw lots for precedence etc.
2 tr. take a ballot of (the union balloted its members).
Phrases and idioms:
ballot-box a sealed box into which voters put completed ballot-papers. ballot-paper a slip of paper used to register a vote.
Etymology: It. ballotta dimin. of balla BALL(1)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.