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dilapidation

 - 3 dictionary results

di⋅lap⋅i⋅date

  [di-lap-i-deyt] verb -dat⋅ed, -dat⋅ing.
Use dilapidation 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 dilapidation
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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Word Origin & History

dilapidation 
c.1425, from L.L. dilapidationem, from L. dilapidare "pelt with stones, ruin, destroy," from dis- "asunder" + lapidare "throw stones at," from lapis (gen. lapidis) "stone." "Taken in Eng. in a more literal sense than was usual in Latin" [O.E.D.].
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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