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Dictionary » D » Decimate

Decimate

Decimate

1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe.

2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny.

3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.

Origin: L. Decimatus, p. P. Of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. Decimus tenth. See Decimal.


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viruses

... (they're really called that) that the host has no antibodies for are attacking important coordinating cells of the immune system - if they can decimate the system before new antibodies are made, response to the new antibodies can't happen.

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by Darby
Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:50 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: viruses
Replies: 8
Views: 861

The Fiber Disease

... in the wild. The researchers hope genetically modified moths will compete successfully with fertile moths in the race for mates, and will decimate the population by producing larvae that can't survive outside a lab. The pink bollworm is one of the most destructive cotton pests in the world; ...

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by Sabrina
Wed May 24, 2006 1:50 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: The Fiber Disease
Replies: 7403
Views: 748648


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