pillage
UK: ˈpɪlɪdʒ | US: ˈpɪlɪdʒ
n. the act of looting or plundering, especially during war
vt. to rob or steal violently, typically in a time of conflict
pillage = pill<plunder> + age<noun suffix>
- pill (from Old French piller, meaning "to plunder" or "strip bare")
- age (a noun-forming suffix indicating an action or result, from Latin -aticum)
Etymology Origin:
The word pillage traces back to Old French piller ("to plunder"), which likely derived from Vulgar Latin piliare ("to strip of hair or fleece"), metaphorically extending to stripping valuables. The suffix -age was added to form a noun denoting the act or result of plundering. Historically, it described the violent seizure of goods during raids or wars, reflecting its brutal connotation.
The invading army left a trail of pillage across the countryside.
Vikings were notorious for their ruthless pillage of coastal villages.
The rebels warned they would pillage the city if their demands were ignored.
Ancient texts describe the pillage of temples by conquerors.
Modern laws of war prohibit the pillage of civilian property.