Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Decimation
Decˊi-ma′tion
,Noun.
[L.
decimatio
: cf. F. décimation
.] 1.
A tithing.
[Obs.]
State Trials (1630).
2.
A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment.
Shak.
3.
The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war.
Milman.