Depopulation

3 definitions found

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

  Depopulation \De*pop`u*la"tion\, n. [L. depopulatio pillaging:
     cf. F. d['e]population depopulation.]
     The act of depopulating, or condition of being depopulated;
     destruction or explusion of inhabitants.
     [1913 Webster]
  


           The desolation and depopulation [of St.Quentin] were
           now complete.                            --Motley.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  depopulation
       n : the condition of having reduced numbers of inhabitants (or
           no inhabitants at all)

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  DEPOPULATION. In its most proper signification, is the destruction of the 
  people of a country or place. This word is, however, taken rather in a 
  passive than an active one; we say depopulation, to designate a diminution 
  of inhabitants, arising either from violent causes, or the want of 
  multiplication. Vide 12 Co. 30.