denude

[ dih-nood, -nyood ]

verb (used with object)

, de·nud·ed, de·nud·ing.

1. to make naked or bare; strip:

   The storm completely denuded the trees.

2. Geology. to subject to denudation.

denude

/ ˌdiː-; dɪˈnjuːd; ˌdɛnjʊˈdeɪʃən /

verb

1. to divest of covering; make bare; uncover; strip
2. to expose (rock) by the erosion of the layers above

Derived Forms

• denudation, noun
• deˈnuder, noun

Other Words From

• de·nud·ed adjective
• de·nud·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denude¹

First recorded in 1505–15; from Latin dēnūdāre, equivalent to dē- de- + nūdāre “to lay bare”; nude

Word History and Origins

Origin of denude¹

C16: from Latin dēnūdāre; see nude

Example Sentences

“I don’t want to denude New York of its extensive cultural treasures,” he said.

From New York Times

“Our study shows that burros can denude wetlands but only when mountain lions are absent,” Dr. Lundgren said.

From New York Times

Let's briefly denude ourselves and bathe together in my shame.

From Salon

They’re also here to eat huge swaths of cropland, denude trees and other plant life, and generally wreak havoc on the West and its agriculture.

From Slate

They have a voracious appetite that can denude entire forests of leaves, said University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum, a past society president.

From Seattle Times