pulverize
UK: ˈpʌlvəraɪz | US: ˈpʌlvəraɪz
vt. to reduce to fine particles by crushing or grinding
vt. to demolish or destroy completely
vt. (figurative) to defeat or overwhelm utterly
pulverize = pulver<powder> + ize<verb suffix>
- pulver: From Latin pulvis (genitive pulveris), meaning "dust" or "powder."
- ize: A verb-forming suffix derived from Greek -izein, indicating "to make" or "to become."
Etymology Origin:
The word pulverize traces back to Latin pulvis (powder), reflecting its core meaning of reducing something to dust. The suffix -ize transforms it into an action, literally "to make into powder." Over time, its usage expanded metaphorically to signify total destruction or overwhelming defeat, mirroring the thoroughness of grinding something to nothingness.
The machine pulverizes rocks into fine gravel for construction.
The hurricane pulverized the coastal town, leaving nothing standing.
Critics pulverized the film for its weak plot and poor acting.
The boxer pulverized his opponent in the first round.
Industrial crushers can pulverize metal scraps for recycling.