释义 |
dec·i·ma·tion \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 |