Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VOTE, n. [It. and Sp. voto; L. votum, from voveo, to vow. Votum is properly wish or will.]

1. Suffrage; 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 man to office, or in passing laws, rules, regulations and the like. This vote or expression of will may be given by holding up the hand, by rising and standing up, by the voice, [viva voce,] by ballot, by a ticket or otherwise. All these modes and others are used. Hence,
2. That by which will or preference is expressed in elections, or in deciding propositions; a ballot; a ticket, &c.; as, a written vote.
3. Expression of will by a majority; legal decision by some expression of the minds of a number; as, the vote was unanimous.
4. United voice in public prayer.