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"Blackball" is a verb that refers to the act of excluding or rejecting someone's membership, participation, or acceptance in a group or organization through a formal vote or secret ballot. This term is often used in the context of social or professional groups, such as clubs, fraternities, or political organizations.
In the process of blackballing, members of the group cast their vote secretly, typically by placing a black ball or some other distinctive object in a container. If even a single member casts a black ball, it results in the exclusion or rejection of the candidate in question. The motivation behind blackballing can vary; it may stem from personal grievances, disagreements, concerns about a candidate's character, or simply the desire to maintain a certain standard or cohesion within the group.
The blackballing process is often considered controversial due to its potential for misuse or abuse, as it allows a small number of individuals to disproportionately influence the outcome of membership decisions. Hence, in some cases, organizations have implemented rules or procedures to limit the negative impact of blackballing.
Additionally, "blackball" can also be used as a noun, referring to the actual black ball or token used in the voting process. It can symbolize rejection, exclusion, or disapproval. The term "blackball" may also be used metaphorically to describe other forms of exclusion or rejection in different contexts, such as politics, entertainment, or social relationships.
The word "blackball" originates from its use as a method of voting in ancient Greece. In Greek society, decisions regarding membership or admission to an organization were taken by casting either white or black balls into an urn. A white ball indicated a favorable vote, while a black ball indicated rejection. This method was mainly used in selecting candidates for admission to exclusive clubs, secret societies, or professional guilds. Over time, the term "blackball" evolved to represent the action of rejecting or vetoing someone or something in a secret ballot.
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have blackballed
you
would have blackballed
he/she/it
would have blackballed
we
would have blackballed
they
would have blackballed
I
would have blackball
you
would have blackball
he/she/it
would have blackball
we
would have blackball
they
would have blackball
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been blackballing
you
would have been blackballing
he/she/it
would have been blackballing
we
would have been blackballing
they
would have been blackballing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would blackball
you
would blackball
he/she/it
would blackball
we
would blackball
they
would blackball
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be blackballing
you
would be blackballing
he/she/it
would be blackballing
we
would be blackballing
they
would be blackballing
FUTURE
I
will blackball
you
will blackball
he/she/it
will blackball
we
will blackball
they
will blackball
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be blackballing
you
will be blackballing
he/she/it
will be blackballing
we
will be blackballing
they
will be blackballing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have blackballed
you
will have blackballed
he/she/it
will have blackballed
we
will have blackballed
they
will have blackballed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been blackballing
you
will have been blackballing
he/she/it
will have been blackballing
we
will have been blackballing
they
will have been blackballing
IMPERATIVE
we
Let's blackball
you
blackball
we
let´s blackball
to blackball
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was blackballing
you
were blackballing
he/she/it
was blackballing
we
were blackballing
they
were blackballing
PAST PARTICIPLE
blackballed
PAST PERFECT
I
had blackballed
you
had blackballed
he/she/it
had blackballed
we
had blackballed
they
had blackballed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been blackballing
you
had been blackballing
he/she/it
had been blackballing
we
had been blackballing
they
had been blackballing
PRESENT
I
blackball
you
blackball
he/she/it
blackballs
we
blackball
they
blackball
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am blackballing
you
are blackballing
he/she/it
is blackballing
we
are blackballing
they
are blackballing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
blackballing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have blackballed
you
have blackballed
he/she/it
has blackballed
we
have blackballed
they
have blackballed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been blackballing
you
have been blackballing
he/she/it
has been blackballing
we
have been blackballing
they
have been blackballing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
blackball
SIMPLE PAST
I
blackballed
you
blackballed
he/she/it
blackballed
we
blackballed
they
blackballed
