də̇ˈlapəˌdāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin dilapidatus, past participle of dilapidare to throw away, squander, destroy, from di- (from dis- apart) + lapidare to throw stones, from lapid-, lapis stone — more at dis- , lapidary
transitive verb
1. : to bring (as a building) into a condition of decay or partial ruin
a ruined house dilapidated by marauders
furniture is dilapidated by use — Janet Flanner
— now usually used in the past participle
2. archaic : to impair or ruin (as a fortune or estate) by waste or abuse : squander
intransitive verb
: to become dilapidated
the house was neglectfully allowed to dilapidate
Synonyms: see destroy