First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
excoriate
verb ex·co·ri·ate \ek-ˈskȯr-ē-ˌāt\
: to criticize (someone or something) very harshly
ex·co·ri·at·edex·co·ri·at·ing
Full Definition of EXCORIATE
transitive verb
1
: to wear off the skin of : abrade
2
: to censure scathingly
— ex·co·ri·a·tion \(ˌ)ek-ˌskȯr-ē-ˈā-shən\ noun
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Origin of EXCORIATE
Middle English, from Late Latin excoriatus, past participle of excoriare, from Latin ex- + corium skin, hide — more at cuirass
Related to EXCORIATE
Rhymes with EXCORIATE
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