Definition of the word exclusion

The word "exclusion" derives from the Latin prefix "ex," meaning "out of" or "from," and the verb "cludere," meaning "to shut" or "close." In Middle English, this Latin root morphed into the Old French word "exclusioun," which referred to a person or group that was excluded from a privileged position or religious order. The meaning of the word then evolved to describe the act of excluding, the state of being excluded, or the person or thing being excluded. Today, "exclusion" is commonly used in a variety of contexts, from academics and business to politics and literature, to describe the intentional or unintentional removal of someone or something from a group, institution, or opportunity.