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Pillaged: meaning, definitions and examples

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pillaged

 

[ ˈpɪlɪdʒd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

during war

Pillaged refers to the act of violently robbing or plundering a place, typically in the context of war or conflict. This term often describes the looting of goods from homes, shops, or communities during times of upheaval. The act is not only about theft but also implies destruction and chaos that accompany such actions. Pillaging is often carried out by soldiers, marauders, or invading forces, leaving behind trauma and ruin in its wake.

Synonyms

looted, plundered, robbed, sacked

Examples of usage

  • The soldiers pillaged the village after the battle.
  • Historians recount how invaders pillaged ancient cities.
  • The pirates pillaged the coastal towns for treasure.

Translations

Translations of the word "pillaged" in other languages:

🇵🇹 saqueado

🇮🇳 लूट लिया गया

🇩🇪 plündern

🇮🇩 dirampok

🇺🇦 пограбований

🇵🇱 złupiony

🇯🇵 略奪された

🇫🇷 pillé

🇪🇸 saqueado

🇹🇷 yağmalanmış

🇰🇷 약탈당한

🇸🇦 نهب

🇨🇿 vyloupený

🇸🇰 vyplienený

🇨🇳 掠夺

🇸🇮 opustošen

🇮🇸 rændur

🇰🇿 жыртылған

🇬🇪 გატაცებული

🇦🇿 yağmalanmış

🇲🇽 saqueado

Etymology

The word 'pillaged' derives from the Middle French term 'piller', which means 'to plunder'. This, in turn, comes from the Late Latin 'pillāre', meaning 'to plunder or rob'. The roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'pila', meaning 'a ball', though the connection is metaphorical, relating to the idea of tossing items about during a violent riot or disturbance. Pillaging has been a recurring theme throughout history, particularly during wars, where conquerors would seize not only material possessions but also cultural artifacts. The usage of 'pillaged' has evolved over the centuries, becoming synonymous with acts of widespread theft and destruction, often carried out by organized groups against civilian populations.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,154, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.