devoid

[dih-void]

adjective

not possessing, untouched by, void, or destitute (usually followed by of).

verb (used with object)

to deplete or strip of some quality or substance: imprisonment that devoids a person of humanity.

Origin of devoid

1350–1400; Middle English, orig. past participle < Anglo-French, for Old French desvuidier to empty out, equivalent to des- dis-¹ + vuidier to empty, void

Synonyms for devoid

1. lacking, wanting, destitute, bereft, barren.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for devoiding

devoid

adjective

(postpositive foll by of) destitute or void (of); free (from)

Word Origin for devoid

C15: originally past participle of devoid (vb) to remove, from Old French devoidier, from de- de- + voider to void

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

Word Origin and History for devoiding

devoid

adj.

c.1400, shortening of devoided, past participle of obsolete verb devoiden "to remove, void, vacate" (c.1300), from Old French desvuidier (12c., Modern French dévider) "to empty out, flush game from, unwind, let loose (an arrow)," from des- "out, away" + voider "to empty," from voide "empty" (see void (adj.)).