-ēshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin depletion-, depletio bloodletting, from Latin depletus + -ion-, -io -ion
: the act or process of depleting or the state of being depleted: as
a.
(1) : the reduction or loss of blood, body fluids, chemical constituents, or stored materials from the body (as by hemorrhage or malnutrition)
(2) : a debilitated state caused by excessive loss of body fluids or other constituents
b.
(1) : the reduction in capital value that results from the consumption or diminution of an asset (as an oil well or a mine)
(2) : the measure or amount of exhaustion of such an asset — distinguished from amortization and depreciation
(3) : the utilization of a natural resource (as a water reservoir, a stand of timber) at a rate greater than the rate of replenishment