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depauperate

Pronunciation: /dɪˈpɔːp(ə)rət/

Definition of depauperate

adjective

Biology

(of a flora, fauna, or ecosystem) lacking in numbers or variety of species:oceanic islands are generally depauperate in mayflies
(of a plant or animal) imperfectly developed: a depauperate inflorescence

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'impoverished'): from medieval Latin depauperatus, past participle of depauperare, from de- 'completely' + pauperare 'make poor' (from pauper 'poor')