Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX'ILE, n. [eg'zīle; L. exilium, exul; Fr. exil; It. esilio. The word is probably compounded of ex and a root in Sl, signifying to depart, or to cut off; to separate, or to thrust away, perhaps L. salio.]

1. Banishment; the state of being expelled from one's native country or place of residence by authority, and forbid to return, either for a limited time or for perpetuity.
2. An abandonment of one's country, or removal to a foreign country for residence, through fear, disgust or resentment, or for any cause distinct from business, is called a voluntary exile, as is also a separation from one's country and friends by distress or necessity.
3. The person banished, or expelled from his country by authority; also, one who abandons his country and resides in another; or one who is separated from his country and friends by necessity.