Deeper Dive: gerrymander

gerrymander transitive verb [imperfect or past participle Gerrymandered; present participle or verbal noun Gerrymandering.]

To divide (a State) into districts for the choice of representatives, in an unnatural and unfair way, with a view to give a political party an advantage over its opponent. [Political Cant, U. S.]

☞ This was done in Massachusetts at a time when Elbridge Gerry was governor, and was attributed to his influence, hence the name; though it is now known that he was opposed to the measure. Bartlett.
-- Webster's unabridged 1913





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