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ostracism

Pronunciation:  'âstru`sizum

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WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
  2. [n]  the state of being banished or ostracized (excluded from society by general consent); "the association should get rid of its elderly members--not by euthanasia, of course, but by Coventry"
 
 Synonyms: banishment, Coventry
 
 See Also: ejection, exclusion, exclusion, expulsion, riddance

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Os"tra*cism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to ostracize. See
{Ostracize}.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) Banishment by popular vote, -- a means
   adopted at Athens to rid the city of a person whose talent
   and influence gave umbrage.

2. Banishment; exclusion; as, social ostracism.

         Public envy is as an ostracism, that eclipseth men
         when they grow too great.             --Bacon.

         Sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the . . .
         confidence, and honors, and emoluments of his
         country.                              --A. Hamilton.

 
Thesaurus Terms
 
 Related Terms: ban, banishment, blackball, blackballing, blacklist, boycott, boycottage, clearance, complaint, defrocking, degradation, demotion, depluming, deportation, deprivation, detachment, dim view, disagreement, disappointment, disapprobation, disapproval, disbarment, discard, discontent, discontentedness, discontentment, disenchantment, disesteem, disfavor, disfellowship, disgruntlement, disillusion, disillusionment, disjunction, displacement, displeasure, displuming, disposal, disposition, disrespect, dissatisfaction, dissent, distaste, ejection, elimination, eradication, exclusion, excommunication, exile, expatriation, expulsion, extradition, fugitation, indignation, liquidation, low estimation, low opinion, objection, opposition, opposure, ostracization, outlawing, outlawry, proscription, protest, purge, rejection, relegation, removal, riddance, rustication, severance, stripping, suspension, thumbs-down, transportation, unfrocking, unhappiness, withdrawal
 

 

 

 

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