decimation

noun

dec·​i·​ma·​tion ˌde-sə-ˈmā-shən 

plural -s

1

a

: the taking of tithes or of a tax of one tenth

b

: the tithe or tax taken

2

: a selection of every tenth person

especially : selection by lot for punishment with death

3

: the destruction of a considerable part : reduction to the point of almost complete extermination

decimation of the forest Indians, brought about by disease

—Farley Mowat

4

a

: the act of decimating cryptographically

b

: the new sequence resulting from decimating

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin decimation-, decimatio, from Latin decimatus (past participle of decimare to pay as a tithe, select by lot and kill every tenth man of) + -ion-, -io -ion

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Rhymes for decimation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation