blackball - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: blackball

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

black·ball

Audio Help [blak-bawl] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to vote against (a candidate, applicant, etc.).

2.	to exclude socially; ostracize: The whole town blackballed them.

3.	to reject (a candidate) by placing a blackball in the ballot box.

–noun

4.	a negative vote, esp. in deciding on an applicant or candidate.

5.	a black ball placed in a ballot box signifying a negative vote.

[Origin: 1760–70; black + ball¹

]

—Related forms

blackballer, noun

—Synonyms 2. boycott, ban, debar, snub, cut.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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blackball

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

black·ball Audio Help (blāk'bôl') Pronunciation Key
n.

A negative vote, especially one that blocks the admission of an applicant to an organization.
A small black ball used as a negative ballot.

tr.v. black·balled, black·ball·ing, black·balls

To vote against, especially to veto the admission of.
To shut out from social or commercial participation; ostracize or boycott.

black'ball'er n.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to exclude from social, professional, or commercial activities: blackballed by the fraternity; blacklisted because of her political beliefs; a threat to boycott the product; ostracized following the harassment charges.
Antonym: admit

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
blackball (v.)

"to exclude from a club by adverse votes," 1770, from black + ball. Black balls of wood or ivory dropped into the urn during secret ballots.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

blackball
noun
1.	the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto [syn: barring]
verb
1.	expel from a community or group [syn: banish]
2.	vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent; "The President vetoed the bill" [syn: veto]

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
blackball

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.

[Chapter:] Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Blackball

Black"ball`\, n. 1. A composition for blacking shoes, boots, etc.; also, one for taking impressions of engraved work.

2. A ball of black color, esp. one used as a negative in voting; -- in this sense usually two words.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Blackball

Black"ball`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blackballed; p. pr. & vb. n. Blackballing.]

1. To vote against, by putting a black ball into a ballot box; to reject or exclude, as by voting against with black balls; to ostracize.

He was blackballed at two clubs in succession. --Thackeray.

2. To blacken (leather, shoes, etc.) with blacking.

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