depauperate

adjective

de·​pau·​per·​ate di-ˈpȯ-pə-rət How to pronounce depauperate (audio)
1
: falling short of natural development or size
2
: impoverished
a depauperate fauna

Examples of depauperate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Anything in the Asclepias genus will feed the monarch’s caterpillars, which badly need the food in the large, milkweed-depauperate migration states of the Midwest. Molly Marquand, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'depauperate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English depauperat, from Medieval Latin depauperatus, past participle of depauperare to impoverish, from Latin de- + pauperare to impoverish, from pauper poor — more at poor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of depauperate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near depauperate

Cite this Entry

“Depauperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depauperate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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