First Known Use: 1660
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
Related to DECIMATE
Rhymes with DECIMATE
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DECIMATION 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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