Franchise

Definition - Noun
[Anglo-French, literally, freedom, liberty, from Middle French, from franchir to free, from Old French franc free]
1  : a special right or privilege granted by the government to an individual, group, or business entity: as
a  : a right to conduct a business and esp. to be and to exercise the powers of a corporation
b  : a right granted to a public utility company to provide services and to use public land for that purpose
2  : a constitutional or statutory right
esp
: the right to vote ­used with the <restricting them in employment, education, the ~, legal personality, and public accommodation ­W. H. Burns>
3  : a right or license that is granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory under the company's trademark, trade name, or service mark and that often involves the use of rules and procedures designed by the company and services (as advertising) and facilities provided by the company in return for fees, royalties, or other compensation
also
: a business granted such a right or license <ran a fast-food ~>
4 a  : an amount of liability (as a percentage or sum) specified in an insurance contract below which an insurer disclaims liability and above which the insurer assumes total liability
compare deductible
b  : group insurance covering fewer than the minimum number of participants required by law for such coverage
Pronunciation'fran-"chIz

Pronunciation Key

  • \&\ as a and u in a b ut
  • \[^&]\ as e in kitt en
  • \&r\ as ur and er in f urther
  • \a\ as a inash
  • \A\ as a in ace
  • \Š\ as o in m op
  • \au\ as ou in ou t
  • \ch\ as ch in ch in
  • \e\ as e in bet
  • \E\ as ea in easy
  • \g\ as g in go
  • \i\ as i in hit
    		•
  • \I\ as i in ice
  • \j\ as j in job
  • \[ng]\ as ng in sing
  • \O\ as o in go
  • \o\ as aw in law
  • \oi\ as oy in boy
  • \th\ as th in thin
  • \[th_]\ as thin the
  • \Ÿ\ as oo in loot
  • \u\ as oo in foot
  • \y\ as y in yet
  • \zh\ as si in vision
    		•


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    Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
    Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
    Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.
    http://www.m-w.com    		 Merriam-Webster

    best evidence rule

    a rule of evidence: in order to prove what is said or pictured in a writing, recording, or photograph the original must be provided unless the original is lost, destroyed, or otherwise unobtainable


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