See Also: ostracism(dictionary)

ostracism (iou)



ostracism noun. L16.
[French ostracisme or mod. Latin ostracismus from Greek ostrakismos, from ostrakizein, from ostrakon shell, potsherd (because the Greek vote was effected with potsherds): see -ISM.]
Greek History. The custom in ancient Greek cities of voting to banish for five or ten years a citizen regarded as unpopular or too powerful; a vote to effect such a banishment. L16.
Banishment by general consent; exclusion from favour, common privileges, or a particular social group. M17.
N. Annan Nor was he likely to suffer social ostracism in London where a great thinker was by no means unique.