spoliation

spo·li·a·tion  (spl-shn)

n.

1. The act of despoiling or plundering.

2. Seizure of neutral vessels at sea by a belligerent power in time of war.

3. Law Intentional alteration or destruction of a document.

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[Middle English spoliacioun, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin spoliti, spolitin-, from spolitus, past participle of spolire, to despoil; see spoil.]

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spoli·ator n.

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spoliation

Noun

the act or an instance of plundering: the spoliation of the countryside [Latin spoliare to plunder]

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spoliation

Church Law. the taking of property by an incumbent upon resignation or any other departure. See also ships; theft; war.

See also: Church

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the act of seizing neutral ships with government permission in time of war. See also church; theft.

See also: Ships

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the process of robbing or plundering, especially in time of war and on a large scale. See also church; ships.

See also: Theft, War

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	spoliation - (law) the intentional destruction of a document or an alteration of it that destroys its value as evidence destruction, devastation - the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
	2.	spoliation - the act of stripping and taking by force despoilation, despoilment, despoliation, spoilation, spoil pillaging, plundering, pillage - the act of stealing valuable things from a place; "the plundering of the Parthenon"; "his plundering of the great authors"