Despoil

From Old French despoiller ( >

French dÃ©pouiller), from Latin dÄ“spoliÅ.

Full definition of despoil

(transitive) To deprive for spoil; to take spoil from; to plunder; to rob; to pillage.

Macaulaya law which restored to them an immense domain of which they had been despoiled
2010, The Economist, 17 Jul 2010, p. 53:To dreamers in the West, Tibet is a Shangri-La despoiled by Chinese ruthlessness and rapacity.

(transitive) To violently strip (someone), with indirect object of their possessions etc.; to rob.

1614, Sir Walter Raleigh, History of the WorldThe Earl of March, following the plain path which his father had trodden out, despoiled Henry the father, and Edward the son, both of their lives and kingdom.
1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 9, 410-11To intercept thy way, or send thee back
Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss.
1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay, History of England, Chapter 20A law which restored to them an immense domain of which they had been despoiled.

(obsolete, transitive or reflexive) To strip (someone) of their clothes; to undress.

1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VI:So Sir Persauntis doughter dud as her fadir bade hir, and so she yode unto Sir Bewmaynes bed and pryvyly she dispoyled hir and leyde hir downe by hym.