Pillage

(45), n. [Fr. pillage, from piller, to plunder. See supra.]

1Sense 1. The act of plundering.

2Sense 2. That which is taken from another by open force, particularly and chiefly from enemies in war; plunder; spoil.

Synonyms—Plunder; rapine; spoil; depredation.—PILLAGE, PLUNDER. Pillage refers particularly to the act of stripping the sufferers of their goods, while plunder refers to the removal of the things thus taken. Under these aspects the words are freely interchanged.

I fear me, messenger, to feast my train Within a town of war so lately pillaged, Will be too costly, and too troublesome. Marlow.

Let loose the murmuring army on their masters, To pay themselves with plunder. Otway.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PILLAGED; p. pr. & vb. n. PILLAGING.] To strip of money or goods by open violence; to plunder; to spoil; as, troops pillage the camp or towns of an enemy.