vbl. sb. [f. BALLOT v.1]
1. Voting by ballot or by some secret method.
1549. Thomas, Hist. Italie (1561), 77. Many have reported, that the Duke in ballottyng should haue two voices.
1704. Addison, Italy (1733), 87. They decide all by Baloting.
1870. Daily News, 23 Nov., 3/4. In 182 [electoral] colleges a second balloting will be necessary.
2. Selection by lot, drawing of lots.
a. 1618. Raleigh, Remains (1644), 56. To elect Magistrates … by Lot or Ballating.
1699. Def. Vind. Chas. I., 25. We must go to balleting for the Controversie. and take the Papers as they arise.
1773. Gentl. Mag., XLIII. 51. That no constable … should have any authority in balloting of soldiers.
1873. Daily News, 25 Aug., 2/2. At the close of balloting for places.
3. attrib., as in balloting-book, -box, -glass.
1622. in Heath, Grocers’ Comp. (1869), 100. To trie the sayde election by the ballotynge box.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Impr., 34. Each Freeholder drops into the Baletting Box one Bowle … And for chusing of Parliamentmen and all publick Votes in Corporations, it were happy it were so.
1700. Luttrell, Brief Rel., IV. 628. Each member put into the ballotting glasse of [a] list of 13 commissioners for the Irish forfeitures.
1797. Ann. Reg., 2/1. The balloting books … they carried away in triumph.
