sb. pl. Obs. Also 3 -iis, 4–5 -ijs, 5 -iez, -yes, -is, 6 -ees. [ad. L. suffrāgia, pl. of suffrāgium SUFFRAGE sb.]
1. Prayers, esp. on behalf of the departed.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 22. A morwen, oþer a niht efter þe suffragiis of Uhtsong, siggeð Commendacium.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 259. No prelat may assoylle, ne graunte hevenely suffragies.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), VI. 195. Suffragyes doen for dedde men.
1450. Rolls of Parlt., V. 188/1. A solempne Obite … to be … founden with other certayn observauncez and suffragiez.
a. 1533. Frith, Disput. Purgat., I. Wks. (1573), 17. He shal lye in the paynes of purgatory, vntill he be deliuered thence by Masse pence, the Popes pardon or certaine other Suffragies.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 293. They … thinke that the soules of deade menne are not helped with the suffragies of preestes.
2. Votes, opinions, testimonies.
1587. D. Fenner, Def. Ministers, 26. Lett him neither be a Commaunder or Lorde, nor a slaue vnto the suffragies, but a fellowe & a discerner.
1593. R. Harvey, Philad., 9. If nothing be true in one country which hath not suffragees from another Countrey, I cannot tell what historie may stand.
