00:10
00:09
00:08
00:07
00:06
00:05
00:04
00:03
00:02
00:01
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
A rejection of an applicant's membership in a private organization, such as a club or fraternity. The term is derived from the traditional practice of members voting anonymously on admitting new members, using either a white marble (acceptance) or a black marble (denial). Acceptance must be unanimous; therefore, one black marble in the ballot box is enough to keep the applicant out of the organization.
Note: The term is now applied generally to efforts — especially unreasonable or vengeful actions — to keep a people or groups out of organizations they wish to join.
blackball definition
|