Ger`ry*man"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gerrymandered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. 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.]

&fist; 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.

• The act of gerrymandering.
       By this iniquitous practice, which is known as the gerrymander, the party in a minority in each State is allowed to get only about one-half or one-quarter of its proper share of representation.
  
• To divide a geographic area into voting districts in such a way as to give an unfair advantage to one party in an election.