DEVASTATE


Meaning of DEVASTATE in English

Pronunciation: ' de-v ə - ˌ st ā t

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form: -tat · ed ; -tat · ing

Etymology: Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de- + vastare to lay waste ― more at WASTE

Date: 1638

1 : to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action <a country devastated by war>

2 : to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : OVERWHELM < devastated by grief> <her wisecrack devastated the class>

synonyms see RAVAGE

– dev · as · tat · ing · ly \ - ˌ st ā -ti ŋ -l ē \ adverb

– dev · as · ta · tion \ ˌ de-v ə - ' st ā -sh ə n \ noun

– dev · as · tat · ive \ ' de-v ə - ˌ st ā -tiv \ adjective

– dev · as · ta · tor \ - ˌ st ā -t ə r \ noun

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.