spoliation

[ spoh-lee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

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

spoliation

/ ˌspəʊlɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈspoliatory, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoliation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin spoliātiōn- (stem of spoliātiō ), equivalent to spoliāt ( us ) (past participle of spoliāre to spoil; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoliation¹

C14: from Latin spoliātiō, from spoliāre to spoil

Example Sentences

“The City’s conduct cannot be excused as ‘imperfect document management;’ ... its ‘explanation’ for its admitted spoliation is unconvincing to say the least.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a follow-up order on April 1, she found that “the full extent of the city’s spoliation has not yet been determined” and set an April 8 deadline for the city to turn over all relevant documents to the forensic examiner.

From Los Angeles Times

“Christie’s is actively working with various organizations on donation agreements to support Holocaust education and research, including issues of Aryanization and spoliation,” Miller said in a statement, “and we leave it to those organizations to communicate about the donations as they see fit.”

From New York Times

“Christie’s is actively working with various organizations on donation agreements to support Holocaust education and research, including issues of Aryanization and spoliation,” Miller said in a statement, “and we leave it to those organizations to communicate about the donations as they see fit.”

From New York Times

The report into the painting was from the Spoliation Advisory Panel - a body of judges and historians that investigates claims for items stolen by the Nazis.

From BBC

Related Words

• contagion
• corruption
• disease
• epidemic
• infection
• poisoning
• pollution