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Cyber-stoning

Webster’s defines ‘stoning’ as:

1 : to hurl stones at; especially : to kill by pelting with stones

The Wikipedia definition of ‘stoning’, or lapidation, is a bit more appropriate:

refers to a form of capital punishment whereby an organized group throws stones at the convicted individual until the person dies.

However, “cyberstoning”, or “cyber-stoning” is similar in intent, but not in action, but should include the group component. Rather, the definition for cyberstoning would more closely resemble that of “pillory”:

to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse.

Thus, for our purposes, “cyberstoning” should be defined as the following:

cy·ber·ston·ing
[sahy-ber-stohn], verb, adverb, noun; cyberstone, cyberstones, cyberstoned

Through the use of the internet or other digital media, to expose to mass or group public derision, ridicule, harrassment, or abuse ; commonly stemming from a perceived slight, insult, or failure to adhere to social norms, to the public or the Internet.

Alas, while I found no documented, online definition for ‘cyberstoning’, since it was referenced in no less than 4 sites located in a google search, I have not prevailed my attempts to plow new lexiconic ground.

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