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dilapidate - 4 dictionary results

di⋅lap⋅i⋅date

  [di-lap-i-deyt] verb -dat⋅ed, -dat⋅ing.
Use dilapidate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to cause or allow (a building, automobile, etc.) to fall into a state of disrepair, as by misuse or neglect (often used passively): The house had been dilapidated by neglect.
2. Archaic. to squander; waste.
–verb (used without object)
3. to fall into ruin or decay.
Origin:
1560–70; < ML dīlapidātus, ptp. of dīlapidāre to squander (cf. dīlapidātiō disrepair), L: to pelt with stones; see di- 2 , lapidate

Related forms:
di⋅lap⋅i⋅da⋅tion, noun
di⋅lap⋅i⋅da⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dilapidate
di·lap·i·date   (dĭ-lāp'ĭ-dāt')   
tr. & intr.v.   di·lap·i·dat·ed, di·lap·i·dat·ing, di·lap·i·dates
  1. To bring or fall into a state of partial ruin, decay, or disrepair.
  2. Archaic To squander; waste.

[Latin dīlapidāre, dīlapidāt-, to demolish, destroy : dī-, dis-, apart; see dis- + lapidāre, to throw stones (from lapis, lapid-, stone).]
di·lap'i·da'tion n.
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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Dilapidate

Di*lap"i*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dilapidated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dilapidating.] [L. dilapidare to scatter like stones; di- = dis- + lapidare to throw stones, fr. lapis a stone. See Lapidary.]

1. To bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin, by misuse or through neglect; to destroy the fairness and good condition of; -- said of a building.

If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony. --Blackstone.

2. To impair by waste and abuse; to squander.

The patrimony of the bishopric of Oxon was much dilapidated. --Wood.

Dilapidate

Di*lap"i*date\, v. i. To get out of repair; to fall into partial ruin; to become decayed; as, the church was suffered to dilapidate. --Johnson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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