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despoil

[dih-spoil]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to strip of possessions, things of value, etc.; rob; plunder; pillage.

Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English despoilen < Old French despoillier < Latin dēspoliāre to strip, rob, plunder, equivalent to dē- de- + spoliāre to plunder; see spoil

Related forms

de·spoil·er, noun

de·spoil·ment, noun

un·de·spoiled, adjective

Synonyms
dispossess, divest; rifle, sack; fleece.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

despoil (dɪˈspɔɪl)

—vb
	(tr) to strip or deprive by force; plunder; rob; loot

[C13: from Old French despoillier, from Latin dēspoliāre, from de- + spoliāre to rob (esp of clothing); see spoil]

de'spoiler

—n

de'spoilment

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

despoil

c.1300, from O.Fr. despoillier, from L. despoliare, from de- "entirely" + spoliare "to strip of clothing, rob," from spolium "armor, booty" (see spoil).

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Related Words

deflower harrow loot pillage

pillage plunder rape

Matching Quote

"The equal right of every citizen to the free exercise of his religion according to the dictates of conscience is held by the same tenure with all our rights. [The legislature] are bound to leave this particular right untouched and sacred, [or] we must say, that they may control freedom of the press, may abolish the trial by jury, may swallow the Executive and the Judiciary Powers of the State; nay that they may despoil us of our very right of suffrage ... or we must say, that they have no authority to enact [a religious assessment]."

-James Madison

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