exile

¹ex·ile

noun \ˈeg-ˌzī(-ə)l, ˈek-ˌsī(-ə)l\

Definition of EXILE

1

a : the state or a period of forced absence from one's country or home b : the state or a period of voluntary absence from one's country or home

2

: a person who is in exile

— ex·il·ic \eg-ˈzi-lik\ adjective

Examples of EXILE

1. They hoped that his exile would be temporary.
2. Many chose to live as exiles rather than face persecution.

Origin of EXILE

Middle English exil, from Anglo-French essil, exil, from Latin exilium, from exul, exsul an exile

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXILE

Synonyms: banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation

Related Words: ostracism; extradition; diaspora, dispersion, scattering; emigration, migration; evacuation; ethnic cleansing, transportation; dispossession, ejection, ouster

Near Antonyms: repatriation, return; immigration

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism