decimate
Translation
to decimate, to destroy a large part of, to wipe out
Examples
The disease decimated the local population.
The disease decimated the local population.
Budget cuts have decimated the arts programme.
Budget cuts have decimated the arts program.
Grammar Patterns
((sth./sb.)) to kill or destroy a large part of (sth./sb.) The virus decimated the rabbit population.
Similar Words
Synonyms: destroy, devastate, wipe out
Etymology
From Latin 'decimare' (to take the tenth). Originally, it meant to kill one in every ten soldiers as a punishment.
Memory Tips
Remember its origin: to kill one in 'ten' (deci-). Now it means to destroy a large part, not just 10%.