ostracism

Ostracism is defined as the act of excluding someone from a group.

(noun)

When one kid in the class is never invited to parties or allowed to sit with the others at lunch, this is an example of ostracism.

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See ostracism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. in ancient Greece, the temporary banishment of a citizen by popular vote
  2. a rejection or exclusion by general consent, as from a group or from acceptance by society

Origin: Gr ostrakismos < ostrakizein: see ostracize

See ostracism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The act of banishing or excluding.
    b. Banishment or exclusion from a group; disgrace.
  2. In Athens and other cities of ancient Greece, the temporary banishment by popular vote of a citizen considered dangerous to the state.

Origin:

Origin: French ostracisme

Origin: , from Greek ostrakismos

Origin: , from ostrakizein, to ostracize; see ostracize

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