ostracism: [16] In ancient Greece, when it was proposed that a particular person should be sent into exile for a period, because he was becoming a danger to the state, a democratic vote was taken on the matter. The method of registering one’s vote was to inscribe the name of the prospective banishee on a piece of broken pottery. The pieces were counted, and if enough votes were cast against him away he would go for ten years.
The fragment of pottery was called an óstrakon, a word related to Greek ostéon ‘bone’ (source of the English prefix osteo-) and óstreon ‘oyster’ (source of English oyster). To cast such a vote was therefore ostrakízein (whence English ostracize [17]), and the abstract now derived from this was ostrakismós, source of English ostracism.
ostracism (n.)
1580s, a method of 10-year banishment in ancient Athens, by which the citizens gathered and each wrote on a potsherd or tile the name of a man they deemed dangerous to the liberties of the people, and a man whose name turned up often enough was sent away. From Middle French ostracisme (16c.), Modern Latin ostracismus, or directly from Greek ostrakismos, from ostrakizein "to ostracize," from ostrakon "tile, potsherd," from PIE *ost-r-, from root *ost- "bone" (see osseous). The Greek word is related to osteon "bone," ostreion "oyster" (and cognate with German Estrich "pavement," which is from Medieval Latin astracus "pavement," ultimately from Greek ostrakon).
A similar practice in ancient Syracuse (with banishment for five years) was by writing names on olive leaves, and thus was called petalismos.
ostracism 双语例句
1. Until I emigrated to America, my family and I endured progressive ostracism and discrimination.
我的家庭和我自己忍受着变本加厉的排斥和歧视直到我移居美国.
来自辞典例句
2. Questioning the status quo carries the danger of ostracism, possibly persecution.
质疑现状带来被排斥的危险, 还很可能受到迫害.
来自互联网
3. Some African healers blame illness on witchcraft, which can lead to ostracism of those accused.
一些非洲医士将疾病归咎于巫术, 这可能会导致病人受到其他人的排斥.
来自互联网
4. For the first time in her life the import and horror of ostracism flashed upon her.
她生平第一次突然想到遭受社交界排斥的意义与可怕.
来自互联网
5. This ostracism is bizarre given that Mr Lobo won a reasonably free election in November.