消し去る
解説 Definition
完全に破壊して跡形もなく消し去ること。記憶や痕跡を徹底的に消滅させること。
Obliterating means completely destroying something or removing every sign of it. It can be used for physical things, marks, memories, or differences. The word is strong and suggests total disappearance or damage.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
erase や delete は「消す」ですが、obliterate はその上で「跡形もなく消す・壊滅させる」強い語だと押さえると残りやすいです。単なる修正ではなく、痕跡・記憶・街・敵勢力まで完全に吹き飛ばす場面で使われます。news や小説では obliterate all traces, be obliterated by an explosion の形が多く、-ing の obliterating は「今まさに徹底的に消し去っている映像」を思い浮かべると定着します。
Think of `obliterate` as much stronger than `erase` or `delete`. It suggests removing something so completely that no trace is left. The `-ing` form, `obliterating`, can help if you picture something being wiped out in real time, like `obliterating all traces`.
例文
The wildfire was obliterating everything in its path, leaving only ash behind.
山火事は進路上のすべてを消し去り、灰だけを残していた。
The wildfire was obliterating the old building, leaving only a blackened foundation behind.
山火事は古い建物を跡形もなく焼き払い、黒焦げの基礎だけを残していた。
Years of erosion were slowly obliterating the ancient inscriptions on the stone.
何年もの浸食が石に刻まれた古代の碑文を徐々に消し去っていた。
obliterating の類義語・関連語
obliterating の語源・成り立ち Etymology
obliterating はラテン語 oblitterare 由来で、ob-「すっかり」+ littera「文字」から、原義は文字を塗りつぶして読めなくすることです。letter や literature が同根で、ただ消すより痕跡ごと抹消する感じが強まります。
Obliterating comes from Latin oblitterare. That verb is linked to ob-, meaning "over" or "completely," and littera, meaning "letter." It first suggested blotting out writing so it could no longer be read, and then broadened to mean destroying all trace of something. English letter and literature come from the same root.
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