BLACKBALL


Meaning of BLACKBALL in English

— blackballer , n.

/blak"bawl'/ , v.t.

1. to vote against (a candidate, applicant, etc.).

2. to exclude socially; ostracize: The whole town blackballed them.

3. to reject (a candidate) by placing a blackball in the ballot box.

n.

4. a negative vote, esp. in deciding on an applicant or candidate.

5. a black ball placed in a ballot box signifying a negative vote.

[ 1760-70; BLACK + BALL 1 ]

Syn. 2. boycott, ban, debar, snub, cut.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .