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gerrymander

ger·ry·man·der [ jérree màndər ]


transitive and intransitive verb  (past and past participle ger·ry·man·dered, present participle ger·ry·man·der·ing, 3rd person present singular ger·ry·man·ders)
Definition:
 
try to get extra votes unfairly: to manipulate an electoral area, usually by altering its boundaries, in order to gain an unfair political advantage in an election



noun  (plural ger·ry·man·ders)
Definition:
 
1. act of gerrymandering: an unfair manipulation of an electoral area for political advantage

2. manipulated electoral area: an electoral area manipulated in such a way as to give one political party an unfair advantage in an election

[Early 19th century. Blend of Elbridge Gerry + salamander, from the shape of an electoral district he created to favor his own party]
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