verb
banish
BAN-ish/ˈbænɪʃ/
To force someone or something to leave or disappear.
The ruler banishes his rival from the kingdom after the rebellion.
Etymology
Old French banir connected proclamation with outlawing someone. To banish originally meant to condemn a person by official decree to leave the country, linking forced departure directly to public authority.
In context
drive me forth with scorn, and with inexorable obduracy banish me from the presence of thy beauty.
More examples
- Sunlight banished the gloom from the room.
- She tried to banish the troubling thought from her mind.
- The new policy is banishing unnecessary paperwork from the office.
Forms
banish · banishes · banished · banishing
banishment noun — Forced removal from a place or community.