despoil
UK[dɪˈspɔɪl]US[dɪˈspɔɪl]
v
to steal valuable things from a place, especially in a violent way and during a war.
v
to make a place less attractive or valuable by taking or damaging things.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
spoil
de
completely
spoil
plunder
Etymology
the word 'despoil' entered english in the 13th century from old french despoillier, which itself descended from latin despoliare. the latin term is a compound of the intensive prefix de- and the verb spoliare, meaning 'to strip, rob, or plunder'. spoliare is derived from spolium, denoting the hide or armor stripped from a defeated enemy, a concept rooted in the spoils of war. thus, the literal sense of 'stripping completely' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of depriving something of its possessions, value, or beauty, typically by force or theft.
Analysis
Structure: de (completely) + spoil (plunder)
de- (latin origin, a prefix meaning 'completely' or 'down from'); spoil (from latin spoliare, meaning 'to strip, rob, plunder').
Examples
invading armies would often despoil the conquered cities of their treasures and artworks.
the ancient tomb was despoiled by grave robbers long before archaeologists could study it.
unchecked industrial development has despoiled much of the region's natural coastline.