De*spoil" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despoiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Despoiling.] [OF. despoiller, F. d'epouiller, L. despoliare, despoliatum; de- + spoliare to strip, rob, spolium spoil, booty. Cf. Spoil, Despoliation.]

1.

To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

2.

To deprive for spoil; to plunder; to rob; to pillage; to strip; to divest; -- usually followed by of.

The clothed earth is then bare, Despoiled is the summer fair. Gower.

A law which restored to them an immense domain of which they had been despoiled. Macaulay.

Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss. Milton.

Syn. -- To strip; deprive; rob; bereave; rifle.

 

© Webster 1913.


De*spoil", n.

Spoil.

[Obs.]

Wolsey.

 

© Webster 1913.

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