Decimate /(?)/

Dec·i·mate

Decimate

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Decimated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating

  1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe.
  2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny.
  3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.