depredation

[ dep-ri-dey-shuh n ]

/ ˌdɛp rɪˈdeɪ ʃən /

noun

the act of preying upon or plundering; robbery; ravage.

Nearby words

depreciable, depreciate, depreciation, depreciatory, depredate, depredation, depress, depressant, depressed, depressed area, depressed skull fracture

Origin of depredation

1475–85; < Late Latin dēpraedātiōn- (stem of dēpraedātiō) a plundering, equivalent to dēpraedāt(us) (see depredate) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

dep·re·da·tion·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for depredations

Is it the depredations of unfettered capitalism that make people the servants of the market rather than the other way around?
You Say You Want a Revolution?|Christopher Dickey|June 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Only grassroots opposition stopped, or at least limited, their depredations.
America’s New Oligarchs—Fwd.us and Silicon Valley’s Shady 1 Percenters|Joel Kotkin|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Iran has also succumbed over the course of a cruel century, in large part because of the depredations of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Prince Ali Reza Pahlavi Suicide: Tragic End to Iran's Dynasty|Stephen Kinzer|January 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
There must have been millions in the locality, and it was very difficult to guard our food from their depredations.
Five Years in New Zealand|Robert B. Booth

Their depredations do not lessen the sweetness of flowers, nor the savour of herbs.
The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, October 1879|Various
Forming guerilla bands, they would come down into the peaceful valleys and commit all sorts of depredations.
The Life and Public Services of James A. Garfield|Emma Elizabeth Brown
They were carrying several heavy coils of rope, the result of their depredations on the river during a few preceding hours.
Shadow, the Mysterious Detective|Police Captain Howard
The attacks and depredations upon the Indians were now more frequent, and the majority of them determined upon resistance.
Diary in America, Series Two|Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)

British Dictionary definitions for depredations

depredation

/ (ˌdɛprɪˈdeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of plundering; robbery; pillage

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

depredation

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of depredation

Related forms

Examples from the Web for depredations

British Dictionary definitions for depredations

depredation

noun