depletion
UK: dɪˈpliːʃən | US: dɪˈpliːʃən
n. the reduction of a resource or substance to a significantly lower level
n. (medicine) the decrease of vital substances in the body (e.g., fluid depletion)
depletion = de<remove> + plet<fill> + ion<noun suffix>
- de (Latin prefix meaning "remove" or "reverse")
- plet (from Latin plere, meaning "to fill")
- ion (noun-forming suffix indicating action or state)
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin depletionem (the act of emptying), depletion entered English in the 17th century via medical and scientific contexts. The root plet (from plere) appears in related words like complete ("fully filled") and replenish ("fill again"). The prefix de- reverses the action, turning "filling" into "emptying." Over time, its usage expanded to describe resource reduction in ecology, economics, and medicine.
Overfishing has led to the depletion of marine life in this region.
The patient suffered from severe fluid depletion after the surgery.
Soil depletion can reduce agricultural productivity over time.
The depletion of ozone layer remains a critical environmental issue.
Rapid industrialization caused the depletion of local water resources.