| 释义 |
referendum|rɛfəˈrɛndəm|
Pl. referendums, -enda.
[L., gerund or neut. gerundive of referre to refer.]
1. The practice or principle (in early use chiefly associated with the Swiss constitution) of submitting a question at issue to the whole body of voters.
In terms of its Latin origin, referendums is logically preferable as a modern plural form meaning ballots on one issue (as a Latin gerund referendum has no plural); the Latin plural gerundive referenda, meaning ‘things to be referred’, necessarily connotes a plurality of issues. Those who prefer the form referenda are presumably using words like agenda and memoranda as models. Usage varies at the present time (1981), but The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors (1981) recommends referendums, and this form seems likely to prevail.
1847G. Grote Let. 25 Sept. in Seven Lett. concerning Politics Switzerland (1847) iv. 81 The clergy made efficient use of their influence over the popular referendum. 1870Sat. Rev. 7 May 602/1 The veto or referendum has this much in common with the Bonapartist plebiscitum, that it is submitted to a body which is not an assembly and which cannot discuss. 1870Rep. Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor I. 358 We want the referendum. 1882Daily News 30 May 7/2 An immense number of signatures..has been obtained to the requisition for a referendum, or appeal to the people against the..vaccination law passed by the Federal Council or Chamber. 1885Manch. Exam. 2 Mar. 5/4 It is quite open to discussion whether the referendum is really an advantage to the Swiss. 1889F. O. Adams Swiss Confederation vi. 77 In Federal matters there are now two Referendums. 1895Edin. Rev. July 265 When would Catholic emancipation have become law had the Referendum been part of the British Constitution? 1911W. S. Churchill Let. 29 Mar. in R. S. Churchill Winston S. Churchill (1969) II. Companion ii. xiv. 1061 The collapse of the Referendum policy in the House of Lords was the subject of comment in the Lobbies yesterday. 1945― in Times 22 May 4/1 If you should decide to stand on with us, all united together until the Japanese surrender is compelled, let us discuss means of taking the nation's opinion, for example, a referendum, on the issue whether in these conditions the life of this Parliament should be further prolonged. 1945C. Attlee in Ibid. 4/2, I could not consent to the introduction into our national life of a device so alien to all our traditions as the referendum, which has only too often been the instrument of Nazism and Fascism. Hitler's practices in the field of referenda and plebiscites can hardly have endeared these expedients to the British heart. 1965H. V. Wiseman Britain & Commonwealth ii. iii. 86 Referenda have been held in New Zealand on the question of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors. 1975Referendum on U.K. Membership of European Community (Cmnd. 5925) i. 3 The present White Paper is concerned only with the organisation of the referendum. Ibid. iii. 5 The Government propose to ensure that the postal and proxy voting facilities which are available for general elections are also available for the referendum poll. 1975Times 10 Apr. 5/1 The Liberals think that Referendum Day should be a public holiday. 1975Act Eliz. II c. 33 §1 A referendum shall be held on the question whether the United Kingdom is to remain a member of the European Economic Community. 1976H. Wilson Governance of Brit. iii. 75 There was great interest in constitutional circles in my announcement on 23 January 1975 that collective responsibility would be relaxed for the period of the referendum campaign on membership of EEC—the famous ‘agreement to differ’. 1976Ann. Reg. 1975 53 Two referenda had already been held in Wales in 1975. 1976Times 22 Dec. 11/7 Since we are now likely to hear much about referendums, could we ask the BBC not to continue calling them referenda? 1977Daily Tel. 16 Feb. 1/3 Proposed referenda on the plan for Scottish and Welsh Assemblies should be consultative only and not binding on Parliament. 1977Times 17 Mar. 19/3 They did not tell us at the time of the referendum that Brussels was to reform the English language. 1977Time 21 Nov. 28/2 The many referendums on the ballots reflected a growing public demand for more efficient and less meddlesome government.
2. A note from a diplomatic agent to his government, requesting instructions on a particular matter (Cent. Dict. 1891). |