Pronunciation: [ˈɒstɹɐsˌa͡ɪz] (IPA) 
The word "ostracize" is spelled with an "o" followed by "strac" and then "ize". The sound "o" is pronounced as in "hot" or "pot". Then, "strac" is pronounced with a "str" sound, as in "stress" or "stripe". Lastly, "ize" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "eyes" or "wise". The word means to exclude or banish someone from a group or society, typically as a punishment or social pressure.
Ostracize is a verb that refers to the act of excluding, shunning, or isolating someone from a group or society, usually through social or political means. It involves deliberately rejecting, banishing, or disregarding an individual, resulting in their complete or partial removal from a particular environment or community. This exclusion can manifest in various ways, such as ignoring or avoiding the person, refusing to interact or engage with them, or isolating them physically or emotionally.
The term, originating from ancient Greece, particularly Athens, borrows its name from the concept of ostrakon, which were shards of pottery utilized for voting purposes. In Greek society, citizens would write the names of those they deemed undesirable or a potential threat to the polis on these pottery fragments, leading to their temporary exile, often lasting for ten years. This practice became known as ostracism, and it serves as a historical backdrop to the modern understanding of ostracize.
While ostracizing can be a collective decision, it can also be an individual act, often driven by societal norms, personal biases, or moral judgments. The reasons for ostracizing someone may vary, including differences in beliefs, behaviors, appearance, or even social status. Consequently, the impact of being ostracized can range from emotional distress, feelings of alienation, and a loss of status or belonging, potentially compromising an individual's overall well-being and mental health.
To summarize, ostracize is an action that involves excluding or rejecting an individual from a social or cultural group, with potential consequences that can have a profound impact on their well-being and sense of belonging.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ostracize" comes from the Greek term "ostrakismos", which is derived from the word "ostrakon", meaning "a pottery shard". In ancient Greek democracy, citizens would write the name of a person they wanted to exile or banish on an ostrakon. The individual receiving the most votes would then be ostracized, or expelled from the city for a period of ten years. Over time, the term "ostracize" has evolved to refer to the act of excluding or shunning someone from a group or society.
