Word Etymology

Ostracize Synonyms: blackball, boycott

Ostracize Sentence: When her father was convicted for felony, her friends ostracized her instead of supporting her.

Under The Lens: Ostracize History

In ancient Greece there was a practice where certain people were temporarily banished by popular vote. The procedure was that people wrote the name of the person they wanted to be banished on pottery shreds or ostraka. The person who got maximum votes was banished provided he received more than 6000 votes. He was given 10 days to leave and if he returned the penalty was death.

The word ostracize comes from ostraka or pottery shreds that were used in voting. Ostracize means to banish from one’s native place. Though ostracize still retains its original meaning, in modern English it is more often used to describe informal exclusion from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.

Necromancy Synonyms: sorcery, witchcraft

Necromancy Sentence: People are always interested in knowing about their future and necromancy is one of the ways to do it according to some sorcerers.

Under The Lens: Necromancy Etymology

Necromancy comes from the Greek nekros (dead body) manteia (prophesy). Necromancy as you know is communication with the dead in order to foretell the future or disclose hidden events. During ancient times, there are records of practice of necromancy in Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The earliest literary account of necromancy is found in Homer’s Odyssey.

There are various mentions of necromancy in novels, television, films and even games.