What it means
- (noun) A tithe or other 10% tax or payment.
- (noun) A tenth of something.
- (noun) A set of ten items.
- (verb) To kill one-tenth of a group, (specifically) as a military punishment in the Roman army selected by lot, usually carried out by the surviving soldiers.
- (verb) To destroy or remove one-tenth of anything.
- (verb) To devastate: to reduce or destroy significantly but not completely.
- (verb) To exact a tithe or other 10% tax
- (verb) To tithe: to pay a 10% tax.
- (verb) To decimalize: to divide into tenths, hundredths etc.
- (verb) To reduce to one-tenth: to destroy or remove nine-tenths of anything.
- (verb) To replace a high-resolution model with another of lower but acceptable quality.
Word notes
The register of 'decimate' tends towards the formal, often associated with historical contexts and specific economic discussions. This term signifies a tithe or a payment amounting to ten percent, frequently referenced in financial or agricultural settings. It carries a weight that implies precision, particularly in transactions where a fractional amount is significant.
In practical usage, 'decimate' frequently appears within discussions about taxes, particularly in historical records or analyses of medieval practices. Phrases like 'decimate a harvest' or 'decimate the profits' illustrate its application in both fiscal and agricultural contexts. The term conveys a sense of meticulous calculation and historical significance, often evoking the practices of earlier economic systems.
For word games, 'decimate' scores 13 points in Scrabble, making it a moderately valuable word. It is eligible for Wordle given its eight letters. Players can also find common bigrams within it, enhancing its utility in puzzle contexts. Notable sub-words include 'medicate', 'mediate', and 'deceit', which can further enrich gameplay and vocabulary expansion.
The etymology of 'decimate' traces back to the Latin word 'decimare', meaning to take a tenth, rooted in 'decimus', which translates to tenth. This historical background highlights the term's longstanding association with the concept of one-tenth, particularly in financial contexts. Common misspellings may arise from confusion with similar-sounding words. Understanding its origins can deepen appreciation for its precise usage in both financial and literary scenarios.
Using Decimate in a sentence
- He had to decimate his earnings to satisfy the tax requirements.
- In ancient Rome, soldiers would sometimes decimate a group to maintain discipline.
- The accountant explained how to decimate the profits for the quarterly report.
- As the historian noted, they would often decimate the yield from the land to pay dues.
Origin of Decimate
The term 'decimate' comes from the Latin 'decimare', which means to take a tenth, derived from 'decimus', meaning tenth. It first appeared in the context of Roman military discipline, where one in ten soldiers was executed as punishment. Over time, its usage expanded to include a broader range of contexts, particularly in economic discussions, where it refers to a specific ten percent tax. The precise origin is debated.
Anagram plays
Letter analysis
- Decimate contains 8 letters: 4 vowel(s) and 4 consonant(s).
- It uses 7 unique letters.
- Estimated syllable count: 3.
- Scrabble-style letter score: 13.
Words that mean the same
Sub-words
- medicate
- mediate
- deceit
- emetic
- teamed
- acted
- admit
- aimed
- cadet
- cited
- deice
- dicta
- edema
- edict
- maced
- mated
- media
- medic
- meted
- tamed
- timed
- aced
- acid
- acme
- aide
- amid
- came
- cede
- cite
- dame
- date
- deem
- dice
- diet
- dime
- edit
- emit
- iced
- idea
- item
- mace
- made
- maid
- mate
- mead
- meat
- meet
- meta
- mete
- mica
- mice
- mite
- tame
- team
- teed
- teem
- tide
- tied
- time
Related words
Other 8-letter words
- aardvark
- abacuses
- abalones
- abandons
- abashing
- abattoir
- abbesses
- abdicate
- abdomens
- abducted
- abductee
- abductor
- aberrant
- abetters
- abetting
- abettors
- abeyance
- abhorred
Words starting with DEC
- decade
- decadence
- decadent
- decadently
- decadents
- decades
- decaf
- decaffeinate
- decaffeinated
- decaffeinates
- decaffeinating
- decal
- decals
- decamp
- decamped
- decamping
- decamps
- decant
See all words starting with DEC →
Words ending with ATE
Common questions
What does Decimate mean?
A tithe or other 10% tax or payment.
What are the anagrams of Decimate?
Valid anagrams: medicate.
How many letters are in Decimate?
Decimate has 8 letters.
What is a common word that gets mixed up with 'decimate'?
A word often confused with 'decimate' is 'devastate'. While 'decimate' refers to a specific one-tenth, 'devastate' implies complete destruction or severe damage.
Are there specific phrases that commonly use the word 'decimate'?
Yes, phrases like 'decimate a budget' or 'decimate resources' are frequently used, highlighting the term's connection to financial discussions and resource management.
How can I remember the meaning of 'decimate'?
Associating 'decimate' with the idea of one-tenth and its historical usage in taxation can help reinforce its meaning, especially in economic contexts.
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