Etymology Map
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Devastate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to destroy; to overwhelm with grief

Where does the word "devastate" come from? It comes from Latin devastare, adopted directly into English (1630s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
devastare
Latin · ancient
"to lay waste"
'de-' plus 'vastare', to lay waste
2
Stage 2 of 2
devastate
English · 1630s
"to lay waste"
emotional 'devastated' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Devastate’s story begins in Latin: devastare meant “to lay waste.” 'de-' plus 'vastare', to lay waste. It reached English by 1630s as devastate. Emotional 'devastated' dates from the 1900s. Today, devastate means to destroy; to overwhelm with grief.