ostracism

The story

1. Ancient Greek · learned borrowing fromὀστρακισμός“banishment by means of voting with pot shards”
2. English todayostracism

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek ὀστρακισμός (ostrakismós, “banishment by means of voting with pot shards”), from ὀστρακίζω (ostrakízō, “ostracize”) + -ισμός (-ismós, “-ism”), from ὄστρακον (óstrakon, “clay pot”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. In ancient Athens (and some other cities), the temporary banishment by popular vote of a citizen considered dangerous to the state.
• from 17th c. Banishment by some general consent.