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pillage

noun

/ˈpɪlɪdʒ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of pillage

The act of looting or plundering, particularly during times of war or civil unrest.
"The robbers were caught and arrested for their role in the pillage of the store."

Detailed meaning of pillage

It means taking goods or property by force or by stealing during a raid or an invasion. It is often associated with acts of violence and destruction, with the aim of taking control over resources, wealth or treasures. The act of pillage involves stealing from individuals, businesses and also from public property. It also includes the destruction of buildings and homes, as well as other forms of vandalism.

Pillage has been historically a common practice in war, where an invading force would take control of a territory, and as part of the conquest, they would take all the valuable resources and wealth they could find. Pillaging is now considered a war crime under international law, as it causes unnecessary harm to civilians, and it could also create a long-lasting negative impact on the stability and development of the area that has been pillaged.

Example sentences containing pillage

1. The ruthless pillage of the village left its residents devastated, with little left to call their own.
2. During the chaos of the riot, there was widespread pillage, and shops were stripped bare.
3. The invaders engaged in a systematic pillage of the city, taking everything of value.
4. The tales of Viking pillage are well-documented in historical records.
5. The aftermath of the war revealed a trail of pillage and destruction.
6. The pillage of priceless artifacts from the ancient temple shocked archaeologists.

History and etymology of pillage

The noun 'pillage' has an etymology that can be traced back to Latin and Old French. It is derived from the Latin word 'pilare,' which means 'to plunder' or 'to strip of hair,' and it was influenced by the Old French term 'pillage,' which also meant 'plunder.' In Latin, 'pilare' originally referred to the act of stripping the hair from animal hides, but over time, it came to signify the looting or plundering of valuables. 'Pillage' entered the English language in the 14th century and is used to describe the act of looting or plundering, particularly during times of war or civil unrest. Its etymology underscores the association with plundering and the seizure of valuable possessions, as implied by its Latin and Old French roots in 'pilare' and 'pillage,' emphasizing the destructive and often chaotic nature of such actions.

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Further usage examples of pillage

1. The invading army left a path of pillage and ruin in their wake.
2. The soldiers were ordered to avoid pillage and respect the local population.
3. The rebels engaged in acts of pillage to fund their insurgency.
4. History books recount tales of plunder and pillage during the conquest.
5. The survivors of the conflict were left to rebuild amidst the ruins of pillage.
6. The pillage of the castle's treasury was a blow to the kingdom's wealth.
7. The war's aftermath was marked by extensive pillage and looting.
8. The village was defenseless, and the enemy seized the opportunity to pillage.
9. The king's orders were clear: no pillage or harm to civilians would be tolerated.
10. The conquering army was infamous for their brutality and pillage.
11. The history of colonialism is tainted by tales of pillage and exploitation.
12. The looters engaged in an organized pillage of the art museum.
13. The survivors recounted stories of their homes being subjected to pillage.
14. The ravages of war included the pillage of food stores, leaving many hungry.
15. The invaders showed no mercy in their pillage of the coastal towns.
16. The enemy's pillage of the countryside left farmers destitute.
17. The pillage of the village's sacred temple was a sacrilegious act.
18. The conquering army was notorious for their relentless pillage.
19. The city's defenses crumbled, and the enemy commenced their pillage.