Decimate
What comes to mind when you hear the words decimate and decimation? What feelings arise? Why does decimate conjure images of complete destruction?
Decimate is a word with a power far beyond its relatively innocuous origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) dekm and Latin decem, both meaning ten. Latin decem is the origin of decimal and decade. In the Roman calendar, in which the year began in March, December was the tenth month.
However, when we hear the words decimate or decimation, we sense that something awful has happened. We fear the worst. The word decimate has aroused strong feelings and emotions for 2,000 or more years.
So, why does the word decimate have such connotations of death and destruction?
During ancient times, in the legions of the Roman army, the punishment for extreme cases of cowardice, desertion, insubordination, or mutiny was known as decimatus; that is, the killing of every tenth man in a squad or battalion. These men would be chosen by lots and then stoned, stabbed, or beaten to death by their comrades.
Imagine for a moment being ordered to kill one of your comrades or friends.
Decimation is not just physical violence. It is emotional violence. The images and feelings associated with decimation carry far more emotion than the original word which simply meant ‘one in ten’. No wonder that the strong feelings associated with the word decimatus continue to haunt us. When we hear the word decimation, we can’t help but think of massive destruction or even annihilation.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
Decimate is a word with a power far beyond its relatively innocuous origins in Proto-Indo-European (PIE) dekm and Latin decem, both meaning ten. Latin decem is the origin of decimal and decade. In the Roman calendar, in which the year began in March, December was the tenth month.
However, when we hear the words decimate or decimation, we sense that something awful has happened. We fear the worst. The word decimate has aroused strong feelings and emotions for 2,000 or more years.
So, why does the word decimate have such connotations of death and destruction?
During ancient times, in the legions of the Roman army, the punishment for extreme cases of cowardice, desertion, insubordination, or mutiny was known as decimatus; that is, the killing of every tenth man in a squad or battalion. These men would be chosen by lots and then stoned, stabbed, or beaten to death by their comrades.
Imagine for a moment being ordered to kill one of your comrades or friends.
Decimation is not just physical violence. It is emotional violence. The images and feelings associated with decimation carry far more emotion than the original word which simply meant ‘one in ten’. No wonder that the strong feelings associated with the word decimatus continue to haunt us. When we hear the word decimation, we can’t help but think of massive destruction or even annihilation.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
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