Ostracize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ostracized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ostracizing (?).] [Gr. 'ostrakizein, fr. 'ostrakon a tile, a tablet used in voting, a shell; cf. 'ostreon oyster, 'osteon bone. Cf. Osseous, Oyster.] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) To exile by ostracism; to banish by a popular vote, as at Athens. Grote.[1913 Webster]
2. To banish from society, by a general consent; to exclude from social, political, or private favor; to exclude from conversation or friendship; to shun; as, he was ostracized by his former friends. A person may be ostracized by a formal vote or by a widespread but informal agreement. Marvell.[1913 Webster +PJC]