impoverish
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im·pov·er·ish

transitive verb \im-ˈpäv-rish, -ˈpä-və-\

Definition of IMPOVERISH

1
: to make poor
2
: to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential
im·pov·er·ish·er noun
im·pov·er·ish·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of IMPOVERISH

  1. The dictator enriched himself but impoverished his people.
  2. Poor farming practices impoverished the soil.

Origin of IMPOVERISH

Middle English enpoverisshen, from Anglo-French empoveriss-, stem of empoverir, from en- + povre poor — more at poor
First Known Use: 15th century

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