English Explanatory Dictionary

excoriate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. to remove the skin and/or fur of, to flay, to skin
  2. To wear off the skin of; to chafe.
  3. To strongly condemn or criticize.
adj
  1. Excoriated.

Pronunciation

/ɪkˈskɔɹ.iˌeɪt/ /ɪkˈskoʊɹ.iˌeɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-excoriate.wav

Word forms

excoriate excoriates excoriating excoriated more excoriate most excoriate

Etymology

First attested in the first part of the 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English *excoriaten (only attested in its past participle), borrowed from Late Latin excoriātus perfect passive participle of excoriō (“to take the skin or hide off, flay, skin”), from ex- (“out off, from”) + corium (“hide, skin”) + -ō. Regular participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English, later archaic.

Synonyms

excarnate abrade chafe flay denounce disparage reprobate tear a strip off criticize criticise

Related words

excoriation excoriator

Derived words

excoriatingly unexcoriated
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