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despoil

Syllabification: (de·spoil)
Pronunciation: /diˈspoil/
Definition of despoil

verb

[with object]
  • steal or violently remove valuable or attractive possessions from; plunder:the church was despoiled of its marble wall covering

Derivatives

despoiler

noun

despoilment

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French despoillier, from Latin despoliare 'rob, plunder' (from spolia 'spoil')

despoil in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of despoil in the British & World English dictionary

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