deplete

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

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.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient depletus "emptied", past participle of 'deplere', to empty.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s deplete "to empty", first a medical term for bloodletting; 'ozone depletion' dates from the 1970s.