/ ˈsæbətɑːʒ; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
the act of doing deliberate damage to equipment, transport, machines, etc. to prevent an enemy from using them, or to protest about sth :
an act of economic / military / industrial sabotage
Police investigating the train derailment have not ruled out sabotage.
2.
the act of deliberately spoiling sth in order to prevent it from being successful
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to damage or destroy sth deliberately to prevent an enemy from using it or to protest about sth :
The main electricity supply had been sabotaged by the rebels.
2.
to prevent sth from being successful or being achieved, especially deliberately :
Protesters failed to sabotage the peace talks.
The rise in interest rates sabotaged any chance of the firm's recovery.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 20th cent.: from French , from saboter kick with sabots (a simple shoe), wilfully destroy.