Etymology of the English word decimate
the English word
decimatederived from the Late Latin word
decimatio (decimation, taking every tenth man for punishment; taking a tenth)
derived from the Latin word
decimare (choose by lot every tenth man; make tithe offering)
derived from the Latin word
decimusderived from the Latin word
decem (ten)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*dekm₀Date
The earliest known usage of decimate in English dates from the 17th century.
Derivations in English
decimated,
decimatingCognates
Dutch
decimeren, French
décimer, German
dezimieren, Norwegian
desimere, Swedish
decimeraUsage
Word found in Modern English
