Definition of: banish

(ban′ish) v.t.
1. To compel to leave a country by political decree; exile.
2. To expel, as from any customary or desired place; drive away; dismiss, as a thought from one's mind. [<OF baniss-, stem of banir <LL banire banish <bannum proclamation <Gmc.]
—ban′ish·er noun
—ban′ish·ment noun Synonyms: ban, discharge, dislodge, dismiss, eject, evict, exile, expatriate, expel, ostracize, oust. From a country, a person may be banished, exiled, or expatriated; banished from any country where he may happen to be, but expatriated or exiled only from his own. One may expatriate or exile himself; he is banished by others. Banish is a word of wide import; one may banish disturbing thoughts; care may banish sleep. To expel is to drive out with violence, and often with disgrace. See EXTERMINATE.