devastate etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: "devastatus" (laid waste, devastated)
  • "De-" (prefix meaning "off") + "vasto" (to lay waste)
  • Ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wes-" (to cut, destroy)

Meaning:

  • To cause severe damage or destruction to something
  • To reduce to ruins or a state of ruin
  • To overwhelm with grief or shock

Origin:

The word "devastate" entered English in the 15th century from the Latin "devastatus." It was originally used in a religious context to describe the destruction of holy places or objects, but its meaning later expanded to include any form of severe damage or destruction.

devastate relate terms

  • devastating

    Etymology The word devastating comes from the Latin word devastare which means to l

  • devastate

    Etymology Latin devastatus laid waste devastated De prefix meaning off

  • devastation

    Etymology From Old French devastation from Late Latin devastatio from the verb devast

  • scourge

    Etymology and Origin The word scourge comes from the Old French word escorgier mean

  • Harry

    Etymology Harry is derived from the Germanic name Heinrich which is composed of two elem

  • sweat

    Etymology The word sweat comes from the Old English word swætan which means to per

  • overwhelm

    Etymology From Middle English overhwhelmen from Old English oferhwelman from Proto Ge

  • ruin

    Etymology The word ruin comes from the Latin word ruina meaning falling down coll

  • overtake

    Etymology Middle English overtaken from Old English ofer tācan to catch up with ov

  • overcome

    Etymology Over from the Old English ofer meaning above or upon Come from the Ol

  • hail

    Etymology The word hail comes from the Proto Germanic root hagul meaning hailstone