Vocabulary Spotlight
Decimate
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To drastically reduce in number, typically by destruction or killing; originally, to kill one in every ten.
“The disease threatened to decimate the population if it continued to spread unchecked.”
Pronunciation
[des-uh-meyt]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Annihilate
Devastate
Reduce
Ravage
Antonyms
Create
Construct
Restore
Save
Related Words
Massacre
Exterminate
Word Origin
“Decimate” originates from the Latin “decimare,” meaning “to take a tenth,” originally a Roman practice of punishing one in ten soldiers. It now means to severely reduce or destroy.
Word Family
Verb: Decimate – To drastically reduce or destroy.
Noun: Decimation – The act of decimating or reducing in number drastically.
Related Noun: Decimal – Relating to ten, from the same Latin root “decem” (ten).
Mnemonics
Think “Decimate” as “Decrease by Ten” – from its origin of reducing by one in every ten soldiers.
Industry-specific Usage
Environmental Science
Environmentalists use “decimate” to describe the drastic reduction of animal populations due to human activity or natural events.
Economics
In economics, decimate can describe the severe reduction of an industry or workforce due to external factors.
History
Historically, decimate referred to the punishment practice of killing one in ten soldiers, serving as a deterrent for disobedience.
In Context
The term “decimate” is often used to describe extreme loss or reduction, such as in populations, resources, or environments. It emphasizes a sudden and severe decrease.