English Explanatory Dictionary

petalism

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛtəlɪz(ə)m/

Word forms

petalism petalisms

Etymology

From Middle French petalisme, and its source, Hellenistic Ancient Greek πεταλισμός (petalismós), from πέταλον (pétalon, “leaf”) (because the ballot for banishment was written on olive leaves). By surface analysis, petal + -ism.

Synonyms

discommendation ostracization shunning avoidance blackballing blacklisting ostracism petalism silent treatment
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