fran’chiz. Properly, libertyHence,

A particular privilege or right granted by a prince or sovereign to an individual or to a number of persons; as the right to be a body corporate with perpetual succession; the right to hold a court leet or other court; to have waifs, wrecks, treasure-treve, or forfeitures. So the right to vote for governor, senators and representatives, is a franchise belonging to citizens, and not enjoyed by aliens. The right to establish a bank, is a franchise.

Exemption from a burden or duty to which others are subject.

The district or jurisdiction to which a particular privilege extends; the limits of an immunity.

An asylum or sanctuary, where persons are secure from arrest. Churches and monasteries in Spain are franchises for criminals.

To make free; but enfranchise is more generally used.