01 v. t. To take the tenth part of; to tithe.
imp. & p. p.
Decimated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Decimating
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1.
To take the tenth part of; to tithe.
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2.
To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny.
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3.
To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.