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Ravaged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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ravaged

[ˈrævɪdʒd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

destruction, damage

To be ravaged means to be severely damaged or destroyed, often in a violent or catastrophic manner. This term is frequently used to describe the impact of natural disasters, wars, or diseases. When something is ravaged, it usually refers to significant and often irreversible harm. The word can also evoke the idea of suffering caused by such devastation.

Synonyms

destroyed, devastated, ruined, wreaked havoc.

Examples of usage

  • The town was ravaged by the hurricane.
  • The forests were ravaged by wildfires.
  • The country was ravaged by years of conflict.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, cities ravaged by war often faced not only destruction but long-term economic and social struggles.
  • The Black Plague ravaged parts of Europe in the 14th century, leading to profound changes in society and economy.
  • Natural disasters, like hurricanes, have ravaged coastal areas, causing immediate destruction and long-term recovery efforts.

Literature

  • In literary works, 'ravaged' is often used to describe emotional damage, reflecting a character's deep suffering.
  • The term is frequently found in poetry to evoke strong imagery of loss and despair.
  • Famous authors like Shakespeare and Hemingway used imagery of ravaging to enhance themes of war and tragedy.

Science

  • In ecology, a habitat can be ravaged by invasive species, leading to a drastic decline in native populations.
  • The concept is often applied to describe diseases that ravage ecosystems, destroying plant and animal life.
  • Ravaged landscapes from industrial pollution are studied for their long-term recovery patterns.

Pop Culture

  • The term has been popularized in songs, often symbolizing heartbreak or personal devastation.
  • Movies often use 'ravaged' to describe characters or places affected by overwhelming circumstances, like war or loss.
  • 'Ravaged' appears in video game titles and narratives to convey hardship and struggle, emphasizing survival themes.

Origin of 'ravaged'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'rapere,' meaning 'to seize or take by force.'
  • It evolved into Old French 'ravager' before making its way into English around the 15th century.
  • The term has strong ties to concepts of violence and destruction in its historic usage.

The word 'ravaged' originates from the Old French word 'ravager', which means to plunder or to ravage. This, in turn, comes from the Latin 'rapinare', meaning to seize or to carry off. The term has been used in the English language since the late 14th century, evolving in its usage over the centuries. Its connotation has expanded to denote not only physical destruction but also emotional and spiritual devastation. Today, it is often associated with both natural disasters that leave large areas uninhabitable and human-made destruction resulting from war or other forms of violence. The usage of the word has been influenced by literature and media, where it is frequently employed to describe the effects of tragic events on communities and individuals.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,546, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.