How Do You Spell DECIMATE?

Pronunciation: [dˈɛsɪmˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "decimate" has caused confusion among English speakers due to its irregularity. IPA phonetic transcription breaks it down to /ˈdɛsɪmeɪt/ with stress on the second syllable. "Deci-" comes from Latin meaning "ten," but "decimate" does not mean reducing something by ten percent. Instead, it means destroying or killing a large portion of something or someone. The word's original usage comes from the Roman practice of punishing mutinous legions by executing one in every ten soldiers.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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DECIMATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Decimate is a verb with various meanings depending on the context. Literally, the term derives from the Latin word "decimare," which means "to take a tenth." In historical context, it refers to a practice where every tenth person in a group or a community was systematically executed as a punishment or discipline. However, in modern usage, the term has evolved to convey a more figurative meaning.

    When used figuratively, "decimate" commonly refers to the severe reduction or destruction of something, often implying significant damage or loss. It signifies the reduction of a population, organization, or entity by an extensive or substantial amount. It often implies a severe impact that substantially weakens or impairs the affected subject. The term is particularly associated with the devastation inflicted by war, natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises.

    For example, one might say that a plague decimated a town, implying that a large proportion of the population was wiped out or severely affected. Similarly, one might state that bankruptcy decimated a company, depicting the significant reduction in its financial resources or market value. In essence, "decimate" indicates a severe and often irreversible damaging effect, reducing something to a fraction of its original state or strength.

  2. To destroy a tenth part, as by disease; to punish with death every tenth man; to take a tenth part; to destroy any large portion.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DECIMATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DECIMATE

Etymology of DECIMATE

The word "decimate" originated from the Latin word "decimare", which is derived from the Latin word for "ten", "decem". In ancient Rome, decimation referred to a military practice where one out of every ten soldiers in a group was chosen by lot and executed as a punishment for severe disciplinary offenses. The practice aimed to maintain discipline and instill fear among the troops. Over time, the meaning of the term expanded to include the more general sense of destroying or reducing something by a significant amount, rather than just one-tenth.

Similar spelling words for DECIMATE

Conjugate verb Decimate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have decimated
you would have decimated
he/she/it would have decimated
we would have decimated
they would have decimated
I would have decimate
you would have decimate
he/she/it would have decimate
we would have decimate
they would have decimate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been decimating
you would have been decimating
he/she/it would have been decimating
we would have been decimating
they would have been decimating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would decimate
you would decimate
he/she/it would decimate
we would decimate
they would decimate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be decimating
you would be decimating
he/she/it would be decimating
we would be decimating
they would be decimating

FUTURE

I will decimate
you will decimate
he/she/it will decimate
we will decimate
they will decimate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be decimating
you will be decimating
he/she/it will be decimating
we will be decimating
they will be decimating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have decimated
you will have decimated
he/she/it will have decimated
we will have decimated
they will have decimated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been decimating
you will have been decimating
he/she/it will have been decimating
we will have been decimating
they will have been decimating

IMPERATIVE

you decimate
we let´s decimate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to decimate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was decimating
you were decimating
he/she/it was decimating
we were decimating
they were decimating

PAST PARTICIPLE

decimated

PAST PERFECT

I had decimated
you had decimated
he/she/it had decimated
we had decimated
they had decimated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been decimating
you had been decimating
he/she/it had been decimating
we had been decimating
they had been decimating

PRESENT

I decimate
you decimate
he/she/it decimates
we decimate
they decimate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am decimating
you are decimating
he/she/it is decimating
we are decimating
they are decimating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

decimating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have decimated
you have decimated
he/she/it has decimated
we have decimated
they have decimated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been decimating
you have been decimating
he/she/it has been decimating
we have been decimating
they have been decimating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it decimate

SIMPLE PAST

I decimated
you decimated
he/she/it decimated
we decimated
they decimated

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Correct spelling for decimate
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