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'Decimate' means much more today than it did in ancient Rome

  • Scott Neuman
  • May 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
  • 61 views
'Decimate' means much more today than it did in ancient Rome

Today, most people know the word as a synonym for "destroy." But fewer realize its origins — or that it's come to mean something strikingly different than it once did.

(Image credit: William Hogarth)

Originally published at NPR World

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