deracinate

[ dih-ras-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·rac·i·nat·ed, de·rac·i·nat·ing.

1. to pull up by the roots; uproot; extirpate; eradicate.
2. to isolate or alienate (a person) from a native or customary culture or environment.

deracinate

/ dɪˈræsɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; extirpate
2. to remove, as from a natural environment

Derived Forms

• deˌraciˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• de·raci·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deracinate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French déracin(er), equivalent to dé- + -raciner, verbal derivative of racine “root,” from Late Latin rādīcīna for Latin rādīc-, stem of rādīx + -ate; dis- ¹, root ¹( def ), -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deracinate¹

C16: from Old French desraciner, from des- dis- ¹+ racine root, from Late Latin rādīcīna a little root, from Latin rādīx a root

Example Sentences

Och, and the girls whose poor hearts you deracinate, Whirl and bewilder and flutter and fascinate!

From Project Gutenberg

No one by taking thought, can deracinate the mental habits of, say, twenty years.

From Project Gutenberg

You cannot deracinate that wide-rooted dogma within your soul that more money means more joy.

From Project Gutenberg

To deracinate Lowell was impossible, and it was for this very reason that he became so serviceable an international personage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abolish
• annihilate
• eliminate
• erase
• expunge
• exterminate
• extinguish
• stamp out
• uproot
• weed out
• wipe out