English Explanatory Dictionary

ostracism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. In ancient Athens (and some other cities), the temporary banishment by popular vote of a citizen considered dangerous to the state.
  2. Banishment by some general consent.
  3. Temporary exclusion from a community or society.

Pronunciation

/ˈɒstɹəsɪz(ə)m/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ostracism.wav

Word forms

ostracism ostracisms

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ὀστρακισμός (ostrakismós, “banishment by means of voting with pot shards”), from ὀστρακίζω (ostrakízō, “ostracize”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”), from ὄστρακον (óstrakon, “clay pot”).

Synonyms

ostracization petalism shunning avoidance blackballing blacklisting discommendation ostracism silent treatment

Related words

send to Coventry

Derived words

cyberostracism ostracize ostracise semiostracism
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