ostracism
Americannoun
-
exclusion, by general consent, from social acceptance, privileges, friendship, etc.
-
(in ancient Greece) temporary banishment of a citizen, decided upon by popular vote.
Etymology
Origin of ostracism
1570–80; < New Latin ostracismus < Greek ostrakismós banishment, equivalent to ostrak ( ízein ) to ostracize + -ismos -ism
Explanation
If you banish someone from society, you've caused that person's ostracism. Quakers, for example, faced ostracism by Puritans in colonial Massachusetts and many of them fled to the nearby colony of Rhode Island. Ostracism comes from the Greek word ostrakon, a broken shard of pottery. Athenians used pieces of pottery as a paper substitute in an annual vote in which citizens chose to banish someone from Athens for a period of ten years. The banished person had to leave (or face death) but was allowed to keep his property and could return when his ostracism was up. The vote was often used to get rid of potential tyrants and political rivals.
Vocabulary lists containing ostracism
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Power Suffix: -ism
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Book Thief
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ostracism was such a severe punishment that dissenters usually relented within 24 hours, paying whatever fine the elders demanded.
From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2016
Ostracism by some other faculty and a seemingly retaliatory rebuke from the administration.
From Forbes • May 27, 2015
Ostracism would have run the strong risk of him going down a route which was almost a prophecy of what happened to Terry Newton.
From The Guardian • Mar. 3, 2011
The fanged dogs of war, once turned loose upon the man who dared to think, have left as sole successor only a fat and harmless poodle, known as Social Ostracism.
From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great - Volume 06 Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Artists by Hubbard, Elbert
The Ostracism was the means devised by Clisthenes for removing quietly from the state a powerful party leader before he could carry into execution any violent schemes for the subversion of the government.
From A Smaller history of Greece From the earliest times to the Roman conquest by Smith, William, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
