Definition of Blackball

1. Noun. The act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto.

Exact synonyms: Barring
Generic synonyms: Ejection, Exclusion, Expulsion, Riddance

2. Verb. Expel from a community or group.
Exact synonyms: Ban, Banish, Cast Out, Ostracise, Ostracize, Shun
Generic synonyms: Expel, Kick Out, Throw Out
Derivative terms: Banishment, Ostracism, Ostracism, Ostracism, Ostracism

3. Verb. Vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent. "The President vetoed the bill"
Exact synonyms: Negative, Veto
Generic synonyms: Contradict, Controvert, Oppose
Entails: Vote
Specialized synonyms: Defeat, Kill, Shoot Down, Vote Down, Vote Out
Derivative terms: Negative, Veto, Veto

Definition of Blackball

1. n. A composition for blacking shoes, boots, etc.; also, one for taking impressions of engraved work.

2. v. t. 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.

Definition of Blackball

1. Noun. a rejection, a vote against admitting someone ¹

2. Noun. a black ball used to indicate such a negative vote ¹

3. Noun. the act of so rejecting someone ¹

4. Verb. (transitive) to vote against, especially in an exclusive organization ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) to ostracize ¹

¹ Source:

Definition of Blackball

1. [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Blackball Pictures


Lexicographical Neighbors of Blackball

black widow
black widow spider
black widow spider venom
black widows
black willow
black woodpecker
black woodpeckers
blackback flounder
blackball (current term)
blackberry bush

Literary usage of Blackball


1. The Dictionary of National Biography by Sidney Lee (1908)
"Brit.l JM blackball, GILBERT (A 1667), catholic missioner, is believed to nave been a native of the diocese of Aberdeen. He entered the Scotch college at ..."

2. The Blackhalls of that Ilk and Barra: Hereditary Coroners and Foresters of by Alexander Morison (1905)
"Whether a blackball or a King took the initiative in alienation cannot be determined by this deed, but, as I have already stated, the early history of Barra ..."

3. A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen by Robert Chambers (1835)
"... Sir Archibald Stewart of blackball ] ; Cunningham of Glengarnock ; Hamilton of Dalzell ; Earl of Kincardine ; Colonel John Erskine, grandson of the lord ..."

4. The English Church and Its Bishops 1700-1800 by Charles John Abbey (1887)
"... through several editions, and attracted much attention.4 He wrote also the second part of ' The Whole Duty of Man.' • Offspring blackball, Bishop of ..."

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