GRE Word List

DECIMATE

to select by lot and kill every tenth man of

The meaning of the word decimate is to select by lot and kill every tenth man of.

Random words

WordMeaning
preemptto acquire (something, such as land) by preemption
bacchanaliaa Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, song, and revelry
annihilateto cause to cease to exist : to do away with entirely so that nothing remains
dowseto plunge into water
cupidityinordinate desire for wealth : avarice
jingoistextreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy
subdueto conquer and bring into subjection : vanquish
vigilantalertly watchful especially to avoid danger
gleama transient appearance of subdued or partly obscured light
chaperona person (such as a matron) who for propriety (see propriety