ostracize definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

os·tra·cize [ óstrə sz ] (past and past participle os·tra·cized, present participle os·tra·ciz·ing, 3rd person present singular os·tra·ciz·es)

transitive verb

Definition:

1. exclude from society: to banish or exclude somebody from society or from a particular group, either formally or informally

She was ostracized by all her former friends.

2. banish: to banish somebody by a popular vote because that person is regarded as dangerous to society, as was the practice in ancient Greece

[Mid-19th century. < Greek ostrakizein< ostrakon "shell, pottery fragment"]

os·tra·cism noun

Word History


	In ancient Athens, when it was proposed that somebody should be sent into exile because of becoming a danger to the state, a vote was taken on the matter. The method of voting was to inscribe the name of the prospective exile on a piece of broken pottery (ostrakon). If enough votes were cast against him, he was sent away for ten years.