Decimating

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Decimate \Dec"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decimated}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Decimating}.] [L. decimatus, p. p. of decimare to
     decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See
     {Decimal}.]
     1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. --Johnson.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of;
        as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny.
        --Macaulay.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army
        in battle; to decimate a people by disease.
        [1913 Webster]