Boycott
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boycott¹
- /ˈbɔɪkɒt/ UK
- /ˈbɔɪkɑt/ US
Where it comes from
From Charles Boycott, an English evicting land agent in Ireland who was subject to a boycott organized by the Irish Land League in 1880. For the surname see Boycott.
verb boycotts · boycotting · boycotted
- To abstain, either as an individual or a group, from using, buying, or dealing with someone or some organization as an expression of protest. There is probably not a citizen in the United States who wears a hat that has not heard of John Stetson, and does not know that the Stetson hat is one of if not the best made. For some cause the Knights [of Labor] have boycotted the Stetson hats, and have notified all dealers that if they sell them
Similar: embargo
noun boycotts
- The act of boycotting. [W]hat has been the actual effects of the [UFW grape] boycott? As far as one can judge, it has cut down on the grape sales in a few big city outlets. But going into its second year, the boycott is losing steam. The middle class doesn't care.
Similar: embargo
Boycott²
Where it comes from
From Middle English Boicote, probably from Old English Bōia cot (“Bōia's cottage”).
The first element was a common Germanic name of obscure meaning, with parallels in Old Norse and Franconian dialects. Some proposed connections include bugan (“bent”), buan (“live”), or the root of modern bully.
proper noun
- A hamlet in Stowe parish, Buckinghamshire, England (OS grid ref SP6636).
- A surname.