English Explanatory Dictionary

vicesimation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The destruction of one-twentieth of something; especially, the killing or putting to death of every twentieth person, especially by lot.

Pronunciation

vī'sēsĭmāʹshən vĭ'sĭsĭmāʹshən /ˌvaɪsiːsɪˈmeɪʃən/ /ˌvɪsɪsɪˈmeɪʃən/

Word forms

vicesimation vicesimations vigesimation

Etymology

Probably formed by the suffixation of the Latin vīcēsimus (“twentieth”) with the English -ation on the pattern of decimation, but compare the Latin vīcēsimātiō (“a killing of every twentieth man”); the spelling vigesimation is an alteration of vicesimation under the influence of vigesimal.

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