rotten borough

noun

1. (before the Reform Bill of 1832) any English borough that had very few voters yet was represented in Parliament.
2. an election district that has more representatives in a legislative body than the number of its constituents would normally call for.

rotten borough

noun

1. (before the Reform Act of 1832) any of certain English parliamentary constituencies with only a very few electors Compare pocket borough

Word History and Origins

Origin of rotten borough¹

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

In short, Tattleton was what the advocates of the whole Bill were apt to term a close and sometimes a rotten borough.

From Project Gutenberg

Whitchurch was another famous posting centre and, like Andover, a rotten borough.

From Project Gutenberg

It was, in fact, his policy to reduce Florence to the condition of a rotten borough: nor did this policy fail.

From Project Gutenberg

The rather rotten borough became suffused with the radiant atmosphere of Olympus.

From Project Gutenberg

I hear a voice from some defender of this abuse, some upholder of this "rotten borough," crying, The Army is needed for defence!

From Project Gutenberg