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Webster 1913 Edition

Decimate

Dec′i-mate

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

Webster 1828 Edition

Decimate

DEC'IMATE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. decimo, from decem, ten.]

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