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obliterate
2 dictionary results for: Obliterating
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ob·lit·er·ate       [uh-blit-uh-reyt] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -at·ed, -at·ing.
1.to remove or destroy all traces of; do away with; destroy completely.
2.to blot out or render undecipherable (writing, marks, etc.); efface.
[Origin: 1590–1600; < L oblitterātus (ptp. of oblitterāre, efface, cause to be forgotten), equiv. to ob- ob- + litter(a) letter + -ātus -ate1]

—Related forms
ob·lit·er·a·ble       [uh-blit-er-uh-buhl] Pronunciation Key, adjective
o·blit·er·a·tor, noun

—Synonyms 2. expunge. See cancel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
o·blit·er·ate       (ə-blĭt'ə-rāt', ō-blĭt'-)  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   o·blit·er·at·ed, o·blit·er·at·ing, o·blit·er·ates
  1. To do away with completely so as to leave no trace. See Synonyms at abolish.
  2. To wipe out, rub off, or erase (writing or other markings).
  3. Medicine To remove completely (a body organ or part), as by surgery, disease, or radiation.


[Latin oblitterāre, oblitterāt-, to erase, from ob litterās (scrībere), (to write) over letters (ob, over; see ob- + litterās, accusative pl. of littera, letter) and from oblītus, past participle of oblīvīscī, to forget; see oblivion.]

o·blit'er·a'tion n., o·blit'er·a'tive (-ə-rā'tĭv, -ər-ə-tĭv) adj., o·blit'er·a'tor n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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