deflower

[ dih-flou-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive (a woman) of virginity.
2. to despoil of beauty, freshness, sanctity, etc.
3. to deprive or strip of flowers:

   The deer had deflowered an entire section of the garden.

deflower

/ diːˈflaʊə /

verb

1. to deprive of virginity, esp by rupturing the hymen through sexual intercourse
2. to despoil of beauty, innocence, etc; mar; violate
3. to rob or despoil of flowers

Derived Forms

• deˈflowerer, noun

Other Words From

• de·flower·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deflower¹

1350–1400; Middle English deflouren < Old French desflorer < Latin dēflōrāre, equivalent to dē- de- + flōr-, stem of flōs flower + -āre infinitive suffix