gerrymander

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: ger=ry=man=der

CIDE DICTIONARY

gerrymander, v. t. 

 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.  [1913 Webster]
" 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.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

gerrymander, v. & n. (also jerrymander)
--v.tr.
1 manipulate the boundaries of (a constituency etc.) so as to give undue influence to some party or class.
2 manipulate (a situation etc.) to gain advantage.
--n. this practice.

Derivative

gerrymanderer n.

Etymology

the name of Governor Gerry of Massachusetts + (SALA)MANDER, from the shape of a district on a political map drawn when he was in office (1812)

THESAURUS

gerrymander

angle, borough, caucus, close borough, congressional district, contrive, election district, engineer, finagle, gerrymandered district, intrigue, jockey, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, play games, plot, pocket borough, politicize, precinct, pull strings, rotten borough, safe district, scheme, silk-stocking district, single-member district, swing district, wangle, ward

ROGET THESAURUS

gerrymander

Cunning

VB be cunning, have cut one's eyeteeth, contrive, live by one's wits, maneuver, intrigue, gerrymander, finesse, double, temporize, stoop to conquer, reculer pour mieux sauter, circumvent, steal a march upon, overreach, throw off one's guard, surprise, snatch a verdict, waylay, undermine, introduce the thin end of the wedge, play a deep game, play tricks with, ambiguas in vulgum spargere voces, flatter, make things pleasant, have an ax to grind, dodge, sidestep, bob and weave.