# vicesimation

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌvaɪsiːsɪˈmeɪʃən/

## Definitions
1. The destruction of one-twentieth of something; especially, the killing or putting to death of every twentieth person, especially by lot.

## Etymology
Probably formed by the suffixation of the Latin vīcēsimus (“twentieth”) with the English -ation on the pattern of decimation, but compare the Latin vīcēsimātiō (“a killing of every twentieth man”); the spelling vigesimation is an alteration of vicesimation under the influence of vigesimal.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/vicesimation