— ostracizable , adj. — ostracization , n. — ostracizer , n.
/os"treuh suyz'/ , v.t., ostracized, ostracizing .
1. to exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.: His friends ostracized him after his father's arrest.
2. to banish (a person) from his or her native country; expatriate.
3. (in ancient Greece) to banish (a citizen) temporarily by popular vote.
Also, esp. Brit., ostracise .
[ 1640-50; ostrakízein, equiv. to óstrak ( on ) potsherd, tile, ballot (akin to óstreion OYSTER, shell) + -izein -IZE ]
Syn. 1. shun, snub, blacklist.
Ant. 1. accept.