See Also: depredation(dictionary)
depredation(dictionary)
DEPREDATION, French law(law)

depredation (iou)



depredation noun. L15.
[French depredation from late Latin depraedatio(n-), from depraedat- pa. ppl stem of depraedari, from de- DE- 1 + praedari to plunder: see -ATION.]
The action of plundering, pillaging, or despoiling; an instance of robbery or pillage; in pl., ravages. L15.
A. Fraser The beautiful stained glass..had not survived the depredations of the Parliamentary troops. A. Brookner War and depredation may have raged up and down the coast.
b. Scots Law. The (capital) offence of stealing cattle by armed force. obsolete exc. Hist. L18.
fig.
a. Destructive waste, consumption (of). E-M17.
b. In pl. Harmful effects of natural agents, destructive operations. M17.
A. T. Ellis Tying up some Michaelmas daisies against the depredations of the wind.