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Meaning of blackball

Source language: EnglishDictionary language: English

blackball

Pronunciation:/ˈblækbɔːl/

noun

Definitions

  1. A rejection; a vote against admitting someone.

  2. A black ball used to indicate such a negative vote.

    Example: Regardless how many other people may have voted to approve a candidate for membership, a single blackball will reject the candidate.

  3. A kind of large black sweet; a niggerball.

  4. A substance for blacking shoes, boots, etc. or for taking impressions of engraved work.

verb

Definitions

  1. To vote against, especially in an exclusive organization.

    Example: If you're not from a moneyed, well-connected family, you can count on getting blackballed from the fraternity.

  2. To ostracize.