deflower

American  

[dih-flou-er] / dɪˈflaʊ ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive (a woman) of virginity.

2. to despoil of beauty, freshness, sanctity, etc.

3. to deprive or strip of flowers.

   The deer had deflowered an entire section of the garden.

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deflower British  

/ diːˈflaʊə /

verb

1. to deprive of virginity, esp by rupturing the hymen through sexual intercourse

2. to despoil of beauty, innocence, etc; mar; violate

3. to rob or despoil of flowers

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Other Word Forms

• deflowerer noun

Etymology

Origin of deflower

1350–1400; Middle English deflouren < Old French desflorer < Latin dēflōrāre, equivalent to dē- de- + flōr-, stem of flōs flower + -āre infinitive suffix