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blackballed - 2 dictionary results

black⋅ball

  [blak-bawl]
Use blackballed in a Sentence
–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 + ball 1

Related forms:
blackballer, noun

Synonyms:
2. boycott, ban, debar, snub, cut.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To blackballed
black·ball   (blāk'bôl')   
n.  
  1. A negative vote, especially one that blocks the admission of an applicant to an organization.
  2. A small black ball used as a negative ballot.
tr.v.   black·balled, black·ball·ing, black·balls
  1. To vote against, especially to veto the admission of.
  2. 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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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