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ostracon

noun
os·​tra·​con | \ ˈä-strÉ™-ËŒkän How to pronounce ostracon (audio) \
plural ostraca\ ˈä-​strÉ™-​kÉ™ How to pronounce ostraca (audio) \

Definition of ostracon

: a fragment (as of pottery) containing an inscription —usually used in plural

Examples of ostracon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 That’s because for nearly 50 years archaeologists thought the back of the ostracon was blank, when really the ink was invisible. — Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, "Revealed in Israel, a 2,600-Year-Old Request for Wine," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ostracon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ostracon

1883, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ostracon

Greek ostrakon potsherd, shell — more at oyster

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More from Merriam-Webster on ostracon

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ostracon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ostracon

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