Ostracism

Definitions

1. In ancient Athens (and some other cities), the temporary banishment by popular vote of a citizen considered dangerous to the state.
   countable, historical, uncountable
2. Banishment by some general consent.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable
3. Temporary exclusion from a community or society.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“For this manner of banishment for a time, called ostracismos, was no punishment for any fault committed, but a mitigation and taking away of the envy of the people, which delighted to pluck down their stomacks that too much seemed to exceed in greatness: […]”

“Take⟳ the ſweete herbe called pleaſant content; with that make⟳ a perfume about your bed chamber and where you dyne: the ſavour of this is as ſure a repulſe to exile melancholie, as the oſtracisme was to the noble of Athens.”

“Witnesse the Ostracisme amongst the Athenians, and the Petalisme among the Siracusans.”

“If I have⟳ deserved the land⟳ should spue me out, I will feed⟳ my selfe with the idle and windy conceite of an Ostracisme, and my unregarded poore selfe shall be all the richesse and commpany I crave to transport⟳ and if a Princes word […]”

CEFR level