Pĕt'al-ism, n.

n. [Gr. πεταλισμός, from πεταλίζειν, to banish by petalism, from πέταλον, a leaf; Fr. pétalisme. See PETAL.] (Antiq.) A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans, by which they banished for five years a citizen whose wealth or popularity alarmed their jealousy, or who was suspected of aspiring to sovereign power. The mode was to give their votes by writing his name on a leaf. Petalism in Syracuse answered nearly to ostracism in Athens. Brande.