Category:Ostracism

Os"tra*cism, n. Etym: [gr. Ostracize.]

1. (gr. Antiq.)

Defn: banishment by popular vote, -- a means adopted at athens to rid The city of a person whose talent and influence gave umbrage.

2. Banishment; exclusion; as, social ostracism. Public envy is as an ostracism, that eclipseth men when they grow too Great. Bacon. Sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the. . . confidence, and Honors, and emoluments of his country. A. Hamilton.