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A.Word.A.Day--ostracize

ostracize (OS-truh-syz) verb tr.

To exclude or shun from a group.

[From Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon (shell or potsherd), from the fact that in ancient Greece these were used as ballots in voting to banish someone. Ultimately from Indo-European root ost- (bone) that gave birth to such words as oyster, osteopathy, ossify, and Sanskrit asthi (bone).]

"He (Lloyd Anderson) did endure gender prejudices during his career, including being ostracized by older female nurses who felt men did not belong in their profession."
Man Broke Barriers As Male Nurse; The Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan); Oct 6, 2004.

"Some responses said: 'A child given such a name would likely be bullied or ostracized,' or 'It would cause social problems.'"
In Japan, You Can't Name Your Kid 'Mistress' or 'Piles'; The Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo, Japan); Sep 28, 2004.

See more usage examples of ostracize in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

This week's theme: Words from politics and elections

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