ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈmāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin decimation-, decimatio, from Latin decimatus (past participle of decimare to pay as a tithe, select by lot and kill every tenth man of) + -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the taking of tithes or of a tax of one tenth
b. : the tithe or tax taken
2. : a selection of every tenth person ; especially : selection by lot for punishment with death
3. : the destruction of a considerable part : reduction to the point of almost complete extermination
decimation of the forest Indians, brought about by disease — Farley Mowat
4.
a. : the act of decimating cryptographically
b. : the new sequence resulting from decimating