petalism

Meanings

Noun

A form of ostracism among the ancient Syracusans by which they temporarily banished a citizen suspected of having dangerous influence or ambition.

Origin / Etymology

From 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.

Scrabble Score: 12

petalism is not valid in Scrabble (US) TWL Dictionary
petalism is not valid in Scrabble (MW) Merriam-Webster Dictionary
petalism is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 0

petalism is not valid in Words With Friends