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ostracon

or os·tra·kon

[ os-truh-kon ]

noun

plural ostraca [os, -tr, uh, -k, uh].
  1. (in ancient Greece) a potsherd, especially one used as a ballot on which the name of a person voted to be ostracized was inscribed.


ostracon

/ ˈɒstrəˌkɒn /

noun

  1. (in ancient Greece) a potsherd used for ostracizing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ostracon1

1880–85; < Greek óstrakon; ostracize
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ostracon1

from Greek
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Example Sentences

More than 17 words, composed of 50 characters, are on the back side of the ostracon.

The ostracon was found in a location that used to be a military outpost known as the fortress of Arad, which belonged to the Kingdom of Judah when Hananyahu and Elyashiv were exchanging messages.

For years, biblical scholars and researchers have studied the front side of the ink-inscribed pottery shard, known as an ostracon, which was commonly used to write receipts, lists or even letters.

That’s because for nearly 50 years archaeologists thought the back of the ostracon was blank, when really the ink was invisible.

“To Eliashib, and now: Issue from the wine 3 baths,” another ostracon ordered, adding, “And Hananyahu has commanded you to Beersheba with 2 donkeys’ load and you shall wrap up the dough with them.”

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ostracodermostrakon