The act of forcing someone to leave a place or group, usually as punishment.
From Middle English 'banishen,' derived from Old French 'banir,' which came from Germanic 'ban-' meaning 'to prohibit or curse.' The meaning evolved from religious condemnation to formal expulsion.
Banishment was historically more severe than modern imprisonment—exiled people lost not just freedom but identity and community. Medieval banishment often meant certain death since you'd be cast out without protection or resources.
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