obliterate etymology

Etymology

The word "obliterate" derives from the Latin verb "obliterare," meaning "to blot out, destroy, or erase."

• "Ob" (prefix): means "away, against, or against"
• "Litera" (noun): means "letter, mark, or writing"

Meaning

To obliterate something means to destroy, erase, or remove it completely, leaving no trace. It is often used to refer to the destruction of physical objects, memories, or ideas.

Origin

The word "obliterate" first appeared in the English language in the early 15th century. It was originally used in a legal context to refer to the removal of a name or writing from a record. However, over time, its meaning expanded to include the general sense of destroying or erasing something completely.

Examples of Usage

• "The fire obliterated the entire building."
• "The government tried to obliterate all memories of the rebellion."
• "The new theory obliterates the old one."

obliterate relate terms

• letter

  Etymology The word letter originates from the Old French word lettre which is deriv

• lachrymose

  Etymology lachrymose adj Middle English from Old French from Latin lachrymōsus

• letters

  Etymology of Letters The word letter derives from the Old French lettre which itsel

• patent

  Etymology The word patent originates from the Latin term patens meaning open or exp

• obliteration

  Etymology Latin obliteratio from obliterare to blot out ob out away linere to

• obliterate

  Etymology The word obliterate derives from the Latin verb obliterare meaning to blo

• oblivion

  Etymology Latin oblivīsci to forget Ultimately from the Proto Indo European r

• obscure

  Obscure Etymology Obscure etymology refers to words or phrases whose origins and root mea

• veil

  Etymology The word veil derives from the Old French word veile which in turn comes f

• wash out

  Etymology Wash out is a phrasal verb that originated in the 16th century It is derived f

• expunge

  Etymology Latin expungere to strike out cancel erase From ex out from pungere

• eliminate

  Word Etymology Meaning Origin Abate Middle English from O

• change

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words

• modify

  1 Etymology a Definition The study of the history of words including their origins f

• vile

  Etymology The word vile derives from the Latin word vilis meaning worthless chea