proscrit

Proscrit is a word that can function as a noun or adjective in English, though it is uncommon in modern usage. As an adjective, proscrit is synonymous with proscribed, meaning forbidden, banned, or outlawed. As a noun, proscrit refers to a person who has been proscribed, i.e., declared an outlaw or enemy of the state. In practice, the noun usage is rare and more often replaced by "proscribed person" or "outlaw." The term appears most often in historical or literary contexts and is often associated with state decrees that publish a list of individuals to be captured or punished.

The word derives from French proscrit, the past participle of proscrire, meaning to ban or forbid. It ultimately traces to Latin proscribere, from pro- "forth" and scribere "to write," originally meaning to write publicly in order to ban or condemn someone.

Historically, proscription has been used to refer to formal decrees by a government to condemn individuals or groups with penalties attached, including exile, loss of civil rights, or execution. Notable instances include Roman proscriptions, such as those associated with Sulla, where lists of proscribed individuals were circulated to authorize their execution or confiscation of property.

In modern usage, proscrit is largely literary or archaic. Contemporary legal language uses "proscribed" or "proscription" for similar ideas. The term can appear in translations, historical analyses, or fiction dealing with political purges or outlawed figures.