Dictionary

decimate

verb dec·i·mate \ˈde-sə-ˌmāt\

: to destroy a large number of (plants, animals, people, etc.)

: to severely damage or destroy a large part of (something)

dec·i·mat·eddec·i·mat·ing

Full Definition of DECIMATE

transitive verb
1
:  to select by lot and kill every tenth man of
2
:  to exact a tax of 10 percent from <poor as a decimated Cavalier — John Dryden>
3
a :  to reduce drastically especially in number <cholera decimated the population>
b :  to cause great destruction or harm to <firebombs decimated the city> <an industry decimated by recession>
dec·i·ma·tion \ˌde-sə-ˈmā-shən\ noun
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Origin of DECIMATE

Latin decimatus, past participle of decimare, from decimus tenth, from decem ten
First Known Use: 1660

Related to DECIMATE

Rhymes with DECIMATE

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DECIMATED Defined for Kids

decimate

verb dec·i·mate \ˈde-sə-ˌmāt\
dec·i·mat·eddec·i·mat·ing

Definition of DECIMATE for Kids

1
:  to destroy a large number of <The insects decimated thousands of trees.>
2
:  to severely damage or destroy a large part of

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