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   Plun·der

   /ˈpləndər/

   

   verb

   • 1. steal goods from (a place or person), typically using force and in a time of war or civil disorder: "looters moved into the disaster area to plunder stores" Similar pillagelootrobraidransackstripfleeceravagelay wastedevastatemaraudsackrapeliterary:despoilarchaic:spoilpiratereaverare:depredatespoliateforage
   • ▪ steal (goods), typically using force and in a time of disorder: "the contents of the abandoned houses were plundered by members of the new regime" Similar stealtake illegallypurloinseizethieverobpillagecarry offmake off withmisappropriateembezzle
   • ▪ take material from (artistic or academic work) for one's own purposes: "we shall plunder related sciences to assist our research"

   noun

   • 1. the violent and dishonest acquisition of property: "the farmers suffered the inhumanity and indignities of pillage and plunder" Similar lootingpillagingplunderingrobberyrobbingraidingransackingdevastationdepredationlaying wastesackingmaraudingliterary:despoilingrapineravinrare:spoliation
   • ▪ property acquired illegally and violently: "the army sacked the city and carried off huge quantities of plunder" Similar bootylootstolen goodsspoilsprizesill-gotten gainshaultakingspickingsinformal, dated:swagboodle

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from German plündern, literally ‘rob of household goods’, from Middle High German plunder‘household effects’. Early use of the verb was with reference to the Thirty Years War (reflecting German usage); on the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642, the word and activity were associated with the forces under Prince Rupert.

   Derivatives

   • 1. plunderer noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

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