ostracize

[ os-truh-sahyz ]
/ ˈɒs trəˌsaɪz /

verb (used with object), os·tra·cized, os·tra·ciz·ing.

to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.: His friends ostracized him after his father's arrest.
to banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate.
(in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.
Also especially British, os·tra·cise.

Origin of ostracize

1640–50; < Greek ostrakízein, equivalent to óstrak(on) potsherd, tile, ballot (akin to óstreion oyster, shell) + -izein -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM ostracize

os·tra·ciz·a·ble, adjective os·tra·ci·za·tion, noun os·tra·ciz·er, noun

Example sentences from the Web for ostracize

British Dictionary definitions for ostracize

ostracize

ostracise

/ (ˈɒstrəˌsaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to exclude or banish (a person) from a particular group, society, etc
(in ancient Greece) to punish by temporary exile

Derived forms of ostracize

ostracism, noun ostracizable or ostracisable, adjective ostracizer or ostraciser, noun

Word Origin for ostracize

C17: from Greek ostrakizein to select someone for banishment by voting on potsherds; see ostracon