exile

Definition of exile

Etymology

Middle English exil, from Old French essil, exil, from Latin exsilium, exilium "state of exile", derived from exsul, exul "exiled person".

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˈɛɡˌzaɪl/, /ˈɛkˌsaɪl/, SAMPA: /"Eg%zaIl/, /"Ek%saIl/
• Hyphenation: ex‧ile

Noun

exile (plural exiles)

1. The state of being banished from one's home or country.
   
   he lived in exile.
   they chose exile rather than assimilation.
   
   
2. Someone who is banished from one's home or country.
   
   he lived as an exile.

Synonyms

• (the state): banishment
• (the person): expatriate, expat

Derived terms

• internal exile

Verb

to exile (third-person singular simple present exiles, present participle exiling, simple past and past participle exiled)

1. To send into exile.

Synonyms

• banish

Further reading

Exile means to be away from one's home (i.e. city, state or country), while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return. It can be a form of punishment.

It is common to distinguish between internal exile, i.e., forced resettlement within the country of residence, and external exile, deportation outside the country of residence.

Exile can also be a self-imposed departure from one's homeland. Self-exile is often practiced as a form of protest, to avoid persecution, an act of shame or repentance, or isolating oneself to be able to devote time to a particular thing.