Webster's English Dictionary

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ravage

1. rav.age \'rav-ij\ n [F, fr. MF, fr. ravir to ravish - more at RAVISH] 1: 
   an act or practice of ravaging  2: damage resulting from ravaging 
2. ravage vt : to lay waste : PLUNDER to commit destructive actions M, 
   DESPOIL mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. RAVAGE implies 
   violent often cumulative depredation and destruction; DEVASTATE implies 
   causing ruin and desolation over a wide area; WASTE may imply producing the 
   same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action; SACK 
   implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a helpless city; PILLAGE 
   implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested 
   by SACK; DESPOIL applies to looting or robbing of a particular place or 
   person without suggesting accompanying destruction - rav.ag.er n SYN syn 
   RAVAGE, DEVASTATE, WASTE, SACK, PILLAGE