petalism
petalism · petalisms
A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a…A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition.
/ˈpɛtəlɪz(ə)m/
Meaning
1 senses(countable, historical, uncountable)A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition.
Origin
From Middle French petalisme, and its source, Hellenistic Ancient Greek πεταλισμός (petaliFrom Middle French petalisme, and its source, Hellenistic Ancient Greek πεταλισμός (petalismós), from πέταλον (pétalon, “leaf”) (because the ballot for banishment was written on olive leaves). By surface analysis, petal + -ism.
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Forms
plural: petalismsSynonyms
9 synonymsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable