ravage

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   (usually plural) a destructive action

   the ravages of time

2. 2
   verb

   To devastate, destroy or lay waste to something.

   Already Cæſar Has ravaged more than half the Globe, and ſees Mankind grown thin by his deſtructive Sword: Should he go further, Numbers would be wanting To form new Battels, and ſupport his Crimes.

3. 3
   noun

   Grievous damage or havoc.

   Would one think 'twere possible for love / To make such ravage in a noble soul!

4. 4
   noun

   Depredation or devastation.

   the ravages of fire or tempest

5. 5
   verb

   cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly

6. 6
   verb

   make a pillaging or destructive raid on (a place), as in wartimes

7. 7
   verb

   To pillage or plunder destructively; to sack.

8. 8
   verb

   To wreak destruction.

Etymology

From French ravage (“ravage, havoc, spoil”), from ravir (“to bear away suddenly”), from Latin rapere (“to snatch, seize”), akin to Ancient Greek ἁρπάζω (harpázō, “to seize”).