3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.
DECIMATION
Dec`i*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. decimatio: cf. F. décimation.]
1. A tithing. [Obs.] State Trials (1630).
2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment. Shak.
3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war. Milman.
DECIMATOR
Dec"i*ma`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. LL. decimator.]
Defn: One who decimates. South.
DECIME
Dé`cime", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.
DECIMETER; DECIMETRE Dec"i*me`ter, Dec"i*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. décimètre; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + mètre. See Meter.]