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decimate definition

deci·mate (des′ə māt′)

transitive verb decimated -·mat′ed, decimating -·mat′·ing

  1. Obsolete to select by lot and kill every tenth one of
  2. to destroy or kill a large part of famine decimated the population
  3. Obsolete to take a tenth part of; tithe

Etymology: < L decimatus, pp. of decimare < decem, ten

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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DECIMATE -the most recent meaning assigned to this word bothers me61 year ago
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