decimate
Translation
to decimate
Examples
The disease decimated the local population.
The disease decimated the local population.
Budget cuts have decimated the arts program.
Budget cuts have decimated the arts programme.
Grammar Patterns
to decimate ((sth.)) to kill or destroy a large part of (sth.). The disease decimated the local population.
Similar Words
Synonyms: destroy, devastate, annihilate
Etymology
From Latin 'decimare' (to take the tenth). Originally meant to kill one in every ten soldiers as a punishment.
Memory Tips
Connects to 'deci-' (ten). Imagine reducing something to a tenth of its original size, which is a huge reduction.