Etymology Map
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Deplete

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to reduce the quantity of

Where does the word "deplete" come from? It comes from Latin depletus, adopted directly into English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
depletus
Latin · ancient
"emptied"
past participle of 'deplere', to empty
2
Stage 2 of 2
deplete
English · 1800s
"to empty"
first a medical term for bloodletting; 'ozone depletion' dates from the 1970s
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Deplete’s story begins in Latin: depletus meant “emptied.” Past participle of 'deplere', to empty. It reached English by 1800s as deplete. First a medical term for bloodletting; 'ozone depletion' dates from the 1970s. Today, deplete means to reduce the quantity of.