Despoil

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DESPOILED; p. pr. & vb. n. DESPOILING.] [Lat. despoliare, from de and spoliare, to strip of covering or clothing, to rob; O. Fr. despoiller, despuiller, now dépouiller. Pr. despoillar, despolhar, It. spogliare, dispogliare, spogliare, Sp. & Pg. despojar. See SPOIL.] To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe; to deprive for spoil; to bereave; to rob; to pillage;—usually followed by of.

The clothed earth is then bare, Despoiled is the summer fair. Gower.

He bade That women should despoil her right there. Chaucer.

You, madam,—for you are more nobly born,— Despoiled of your honor in your life, Shall, after three days' open penance done, Live in your country here in banishment. Shak.

Synonyms—To strip; deprive; rob; bereave; rifle.

n. Despoliation. [Obs.] Wolsey.