OSTRACISM • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Ostracism

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/ˈɔstrəsˌɪzəm/ Listen

noun

ostracism n.

(Gr. Antiq.) Banishment by popular vote, a means adopted at Athens to rid the city of a person whose talent and influence gave umbrage.

Banishment; exclusion; as, social ostracism. "Public envy is as an ostracism, that eclipseth men when they grow too great." "Sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the... confidence, and honors, and emoluments of his country."

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Etymology of 'Ostracism'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ostracism" Quotes from Famous Books

... the level of social respectability. Regard anyone as a mirror with a cracked face and he will soon justify your opinion of him. If the morals of Chinese actors will not bear investigation it is probably due to the social ostracism to which they have always been subjected. The same phenomenon may be seen in connection with Buddhism. As soon as Buddhism in China ceased to be a power the priests became a despised class and being despised they have often given occasion to others ...

— America Through the Spectacles of an Oriental Diplomat • Wu Tingfang

... Onesimus made to serve the cause of impiety. O'Phace, Increase D., Esq., speech of. Opinion, British, its worth to us. Opinions, certain ones compared to winter flies. Oracle of Fools, still respectfully consulted. Orion becomes commonplace. Orrery, Lord, his letters (lord!). Ostracism, curious species of. ...

— The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell • James Lowell

... all else go as it would. But Mrs. Wade's warning had impressed him deeply. It went with his secret inclination; for, at this stage of the combat, to lose all his aims would be a bitter disappointment. Rethought of the lifelong ostracism, and feared it in a ...

— Denzil Quarrier • George Gissing

... possibility, had not entered the mind of either. They had lived a long time; they were practical people. They knew from the outset that somehow they must arrange to go on together. The alternative meant a mere pittance of alimony for her; meant for him social ostracism and the small income cut in half; meant for ...

— The Price She Paid • David Graham Phillips

... state of agitation and [foment?]. The air is laden with rumors of a [rising?] conflict between the North and the South, and any want of allegiance to Southern opinions is punished either as a crime if the offender is a man, or with social ostracism ...

— Minnie's Sacrifice • Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

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