BLACKBALL


Meaning of BLACKBALL in English

I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: black (I) + ball

1.

a. : to prevent from becoming a member of an organization by casting an adverse vote especially by putting a black ball into a ballot box or urn

if he applies for membership, I'll blackball him

b. : to vote against : make impossible by casting an adverse vote : veto

blackballed the membership applications of some candidates of unsavory character

2. : to exclude socially : ostracize

he was blackballed by all his former friends

: exclude from normal professional or economic relations : blacklist , boycott

an advertisement inviting the population at large to blackball me — Victor Ross

Synonyms: see exclude

II. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun

Etymology: black (I) + ball

1. : a small black ball that may be put into a ballot box or urn to constitute a vote against admitting someone to membership in an organization

2. : an adverse vote especially as excluding an applicant from membership in an organization

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.