verb (used with object)
- to vote against (a candidate, applicant, etc.).
- to exclude socially; ostracize: The whole town blackballed them.
- to reject (a candidate) by placing a blackball in the ballot box.
noun
- a negative vote, especially in deciding on an applicant or candidate.
- a black ball placed in a ballot box signifying a negative vote.
noun
- a negative vote or veto
- a black wooden ball used to indicate disapproval or to veto in a vote
- NZ a hard boiled sweet with black-and-white stripes
verb (tr)
- to vote against in a ballot
- to exclude (someone) from a group, profession, etc; ostracize
also black-ball, “to exclude from a club by adverse votes,” 1770, from black (adj.) + ball (n.1). Black balls of wood or ivory dropped into an urn during secret ballots.
A rejection of an applicant’s membership in a private organization, such as a club or fraternity. The term is derived from the traditional practice of members voting anonymously on admitting new members, using either a white marble (acceptance) or a black marble (denial). Acceptance must be unanimous; therefore, one black marble in the ballot box is enough to keep the applicant out of the organization.