Petalism

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Petalism \Pet"al*ism\ (p[e^]t"al*[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. petalismo`s,
     fr. pe`talon a leaf: cf. F. p['e]talisme.] (Gr. Antiq.)
     A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they
     banished for five years a citizen suspected of having
     dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the
     ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of


     shells for ballots.
     [1913 Webster]