plundering
略奪
解説 Definition
plundering は plunder（略奪する）の動名詞・現在分詞で、「略奪すること」「略奪行為」という意味です。戦争や混乱の中で財物を奪う行為を表す、やや硬い語です。
The act or practice of taking valuable property by force, especially during war, invasion, civil disorder, or the destruction of a town or institution. It usually suggests extensive or organized looting rather than an isolated theft.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 plunder「戦争や混乱に乗じて財物を略奪する」に -ing を付けた形です。ここでは動作中を表す分詞ではなく、the plundering や records of plundering のように「略奪行為」を指す名詞。stealing よりも、集団が町・建物などから価値ある物を大規模かつ乱暴に持ち去る硬い表現として覚えましょう。
Start with the verb plunder, meaning to take valuable property by force, and add -ing. In this entry, plundering functions as a noun naming the activity itself, as in the plundering caused fear or records of plundering. Picture troops or a violent crowd stripping valuables from homes, shops, or public buildings during war or disorder. This is stronger and broader than ordinary stealing: it commonly suggests force, destruction, and repeated or large-scale removal of property. The phrase plundering during the war captures its typical historical setting.
例文
The plundering caused fear throughout the town.
その略奪によって町中に不安が広がりました。
Officials reported plundering after the troops left.
当局は部隊が去った後に略奪があったと報告しました。
The museum displayed records of plundering during the war.
その博物館は戦時中の略奪に関する記録を展示していました。
plundering の類義語・関連語
plundering の語源・成り立ち Etymology
plundering は plunder「略奪する」に -ing が付いた形。plunder はドイツ語 plündern や中低地ドイツ語 plunderen にさかのぼるゲルマン系の語で、物を根こそぎ持ち去る感覚から「略奪」の意味になり、関連語に plunder, plunderer がある。
Plundering is formed from plunder plus the suffix -ing. Plunder entered English from Germanic sources, including German plündern and related Middle Low German forms. Earlier words in this family referred to household goods or movable property, helping produce the verbal sense of carrying such goods away. In English, plunder came to mean taking valuables by force, especially in war or disorder, and plundering developed as the noun or participial form for that activity.
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