Blacklist

Part of speech: verb, noun

Pronunciation: /ˈblæklɪst/

Definitions

1. A list containing individuals or groups that are prohibited from participation or access due to perceived undesirable behaviors or attributes
2. A roster of people or organizations that face restrictions or sanctions because they are deemed unacceptable by certain standards or authorities
3. A compilation of names or entities barred from access, participation, or privileges due to disapproval or suspicion

Etymology: The most striking thing about "blacklist" is how little it has to do with a literal black list. The word is a plain compound of "black," from Old English "blæc," and "list," a strip or roll of names, which came into English through Old French "liste" from Medieval Latin "lista." Put together, a blacklist is simply a list marked with the color associated with condemnation, the reverse of a whitelist-style roll of approved names. The meaning of the color is the real story here. Black has long stood for disgrace and blame, so a list of those marked for censure reads naturally in that sense. The second element has always been the more ordinary one, a list being nothing more than a set of written names or items, which is why the compound could be formed so transparently from two everyday words.

Synonyms: boycott, exclude

Antonyms: include, accept