depletive
|dɪ-pliː-tɪv|
/dɪˈpliːtɪv/
causing depletion
Etymology
'depletive' originates from English, formed from the verb 'deplete' + the adjectival suffix '-ive'. 'Deplete' ultimately comes from Latin 'dēplēre' (plēre 'to fill'), where the prefix 'dē-' conveys removal or reduction.
'depletive' was formed in English by adding '-ive' to the verb 'deplete' (Modern English). 'Deplete' itself comes from Late Latin/Latin 'dēplēre' (past participle 'dēplētus'), with Latin 'plēre' meaning 'to fill' and the prefix 'dē-' indicating removal; the sense shifted to 'make empty' and then to 'use up' in English.
Initially related to the Latin root meaning 'to unfill' or reverse filling, over time it evolved into the modern English sense 'to reduce or use up a supply', and 'depletive' now means 'causing that reduction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent or factor that causes depletion (used occasionally in technical or analytical contexts).
They identified several depletives responsible for the soil nutrient loss.
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Adjective 1
causing or tending to cause depletion; reducing the supply, resources, or strength of something.
The depletive effects of overfishing have severely reduced the local fish population.
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Last updated: 2025/11/14 21:27