Decimate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
💥
decimate
[ˈdɛs.ɪ.meɪt ]
Definition
destruction scale
To decimate means to destroy a large portion of something or significantly reduce its strength or effectiveness. Originally, it referred specifically to the Roman military punishment of killing one in every ten soldiers in a mutinous group. In modern usage, it often applies to widespread devastation, such as that caused by natural disasters or warfare. The term conveys a sense of great loss or destruction, often implying that the remaining part is severely weakened.
Synonyms
annihilate, destroy, devastate, exterminate, obliterate.
Examples of usage
- The hurricane decimated the coastal town.
- The disease decimated the population of the region.
- Overfishing has decimated fish populations worldwide.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Military History
- In ancient Rome, decimation was used as a method of discipline to restore order within the ranks.
- This brutal tactic instilled fear and maintained control, illustrating the harsh realities of military life in ancient times.
- The practice was not commonly used and was seen as a last resort due to its drastic nature.
Literature
- The word is often employed in literature to emphasize devastating loss or destruction, appearing in both poetry and prose.
- Notable authors have used it to describe the aftermath of battles or natural disasters, highlighting human suffering.
- In modern narratives, it can metaphorically depict the impact of war on communities and families.
Pop Culture
- The term appears frequently in movies and books that deal with themes of war, conflict, or survival.
- It’s often used in video games to describe strategies or outcomes that significantly weaken the enemy force.
- Popular media may exaggerate the term to depict catastrophic scenarios, contributing to its dramatic flair.
Science
- In ecology, it can describe the significant reduction of a population due to environmental factors or human intervention.
- The term is sometimes used informally to discuss the severe depletion of resources, such as the decimation of a fish population due to overfishing.
- Studies on extinction events highlight how certain species have been decimated by climate change and habitat loss.
Origin of 'decimate'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'decimare', which means to take a tenth, derived from 'decimus', meaning tenth.
- Originally, it referred to a punishment in the Roman army where one in every ten soldiers was killed for mutiny.
- Over time, its meaning evolved to represent destruction on a larger scale, not just one-tenth.
The word 'decimate' comes from the Latin term 'decimare', meaning 'to take a tenth'. It was initially used to describe a form of punishment used by the Roman army to deter rebellions. This punishment involved the execution of one in every ten soldiers in a unit that had displayed cowardice or insubordination. Over the centuries, the meaning of 'decimate' evolved from this specific military context to a more general sense of significant destruction or reduction. By the 17th century, the term started being used to describe devastations caused by natural disasters, plagues, and wars, indicating significant loss or depletion rather than just a literal one-tenth of a group. Today, while 'decimate' can still refer to a precise mathematical reduction to one-tenth, it is more commonly used to indicate drastic impact and destruction to a larger scale.