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

City Attorney Ann Davison’s office responded with court filings of its own this week, accusing some of the plaintiffs of spoliation themselves by deleting their own texts about CHOP.

From Seattle Times

A week after the spoliation motion, on April 25, the city and Marigold filed to settle the case.

From Seattle Times

Secondly, STP challenged a ruling by Murphy that it committed “spoliation” by losing crucial pieces of damaged pipe and a tunneling superintendent’s journal.

From Seattle Times

There is usually an artist somewhere at the bottom of that story of spoliation.

From New York Times

Related Words

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