释义 |
de·ple·tion \-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 |