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deplete

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅plete

  [di-pleet]
Use deplete in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -plet⋅ed, -plet⋅ing.
to decrease seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of: The fire had depleted the game in the forest. Extravagant spending soon depleted his funds.
Origin:
1800–10; < L dēplētus empty (ptp. of dēplēre to empty out), equiv. to dē- de- + plē(re) to fill + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:
de⋅plet⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅ple⋅tion, noun
de⋅ple⋅tive, de⋅ple⋅to⋅ry  [di-plee-tuh-ree] , adjective

Synonyms:
use up, drain, reduce, consume, lessen.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To deplete
de·plete   (dĭ-plēt')   
tr.v.   de·plet·ed, de·plet·ing, de·pletes
To decrease the fullness of; use up or empty out.

[Latin dēplēre, dēplēt-, to empty : dē-, de- + plēre, to fill; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
de·plet'a·ble adj.
Synonyms: These verbs all mean to weaken severely by removing something essential. Deplete refers to using up gradually and only hints at harmful consequences: The campers' food supply was quickly depleted.
Drain suggests gradual drawing off and harm: War often drains a nation's economy.
Exhaust stresses reduction to a point of uselessness: "The resources of civilization are not yet exhausted" (William Ewart Gladstone).
Impoverish refers to severe reduction of resources or essential qualities: "His death has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure" (Samuel Johnson).
Enervate refers to weakening or destruction of vitality or strength: Idleness enervates the will to succeed.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: de·plete
Pronunciation: di-'plEt
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: de·plet·ed; de·plet·ing
: to empty (as the blood vessels) of a principal substance depleted by excessive blood loss> depleted of vitamins>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

deplete de·plete (dĭ-plēt')
v. de·plet·ed, de·plet·ing, de·pletes

  1. To use up something, such as a nutrient.

  2. To empty something out, as the body of electrolytes.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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