decimate
//ˈdɛsɪmeɪt//
Verb
decimateInfinitive
decimatePresent tense
decimatedPast tense
decimatedPast participle
decimatingPresent participle
decimatesThird-person singular
1
To destroy or kill a large proportion of something.
The disease decimated the population of the village.
2
(Historical) To kill one in every ten of a group of soldiers as a punishment for the whole group.
The Roman general decimated the rebellious legion as punishment.
3
To drastically reduce the strength, quantity, or effectiveness of something.
The economic crisis decimated the company's workforce.