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ravage

Desolation by violence; violent ruin or destruction; devastation; havoc; waste; as, the ravage of a lion; the ravages of fire or tempest; the ravages of an army, or of time. Would one think 't were possible for love To make such ravage in a noble soul? (Addison)

Synonym: Despoilment, devastation, desolation, pillage, plunder, spoil, waste, ruin.

Origin: F, fr. (assumed) L. Rapagium, rapaticum, fr. Rapere to carry off by force, to ravish. See Rapacious, Ravish.