spoliation

[ spoh-lee-ey-shuh n ]
/ ˌspoʊ liˈeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR spoliation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or an instance of plundering or despoiling.
authorized plundering of neutrals at sea in time of war.
Law. the destruction or material alteration of a bill of exchange, will, or the like.
the act of spoiling or damaging something.

Origin of spoliation

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin spoliātiōn- (stem of spoliātiō), equivalent to spoliāt(us) (past participle of spoliāre to spoil; see -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

Words nearby spoliation

spokesperson, spokeswoman, spokewise, spolia opima, spoliate, spoliation, spondaic, spondee, spondulicks, spondulix, spondylalgia

Words related to spoliation

abuse, infection, corruption, deterioration, abduction, maltreatment, violation, molestation, invasion, assault, mistreatment, pollution, destruction, contagion, disease, epidemic, poisoning, wasting, confusion, desolation

Example sentences from the Web for spoliation

British Dictionary definitions for spoliation

spoliation
/ (ˌspəʊlɪˈeɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of despoiling or plundering
the authorized seizure or plundering of neutral vessels on the seas by a belligerent state in time of war
law the material alteration of a document so as to render it invalid
English ecclesiastical law the taking of the fruits of a benefice by a person not entitled to them

Derived forms of spoliation

spoliatory, adjective

Word Origin for spoliation

C14: from Latin spoliātiō, from spoliāre to spoil