direption

noun

di·​rep·​tion

də̇ˈrepshən

plural -s

1

obsolete : a tearing apart or away

2

archaic : despoliation

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin direption-, direptio, from direptus (past participle of diripere to tear apart, plunder, from di- —from dis- apart—+ -ripere, from rapere to seize and carry off) + -ion-, -io -ion

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!