from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ballot \Bal"lot\ (b[a^]l"l[u^]t), n. [F. ballotte, fr. It.
ballotta. See {Ball} round body.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Originally, a ball used for secret voting. Hence: Any
printed or written ticket used in voting.
[1913 Webster]
2. The act of secret voting, whether by balls, written or
printed ballots or tickets, or by use of a voting machine;
the system of voting secretly.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
The insufficiency of the ballot. --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]
3. The whole number of votes cast at an election, or in a
given territory or electoral district.
[1913 Webster]
4. the official list of candidates competing in an election.
There are no women on the ballot.
[1913 Webster]
{Ballot box},
(a) a box for receiving ballots.
(b) the act, process or system of voting secretly; same as
{ballot}[2]. "The question will be resolved by the
ballot box."
[1913 Webster]