franchise

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fran·chise / ˈfranˌchīz/ • n. 1. an authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities, e.g., providing a broadcasting service or acting as an agent for a company's products. ∎  a business or service given such authorization to operate. ∎  an authorization given by a league to own a sports team. ∎  inf. a professional sports team. ∎  (also franchise player) inf. a star player in a team.2. (usu. the franchise) the right to vote. ∎  the rights of citizenship.• v. [tr.] grant a franchise to (an individual or group). ∎  grant a franchise for the sale of (goods) or the operation of (a service): all the catering was franchised out.DERIVATIVES: fran·chi·see / ˌfranˌchīˈzē/ n.fran·chis·er (also fran·chi·sor / ˌfranchəˈzôr/ ) n.

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