To decimate something such as a group of people or animals means to destroy a very large number of them.
例句
The pollution could decimate the river's thriving population of kingfishers...污染可能会造成河边大量繁殖的翠鸟大批死亡。British forces in the Caribbean were being decimated by disease.加勒比海地区的英国部队有大批的人病死。
VERB
严重削弱,大幅缩减(系统或机构)
To decimate a system or organization means to reduce its size and effectiveness greatly.
例句
...a recession which decimated the nation's manufacturing industry.使该国制造业元气大伤的经济衰退
英英词典释义
Noun
1. destroying or killing a large part of the population (literally every tenth person as chosen by lot)