The word 'decimates' means to eliminate 10%. So if used correctly, it means that 30 to 40 Russians were killed. The word is hardly ever used correctly.

[–] just2look@lemm.ee 33 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That may have been the original definition, but words evolve. One of the definitions from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is ‘to cause great destruction or harm to’. So it is used correctly by modern definitions.

[–] massive_bereavement@fedia.io 34 points 2 weeks ago

Let's still be considerate to those time traveling from the Roman Empire.

[–] TransplantedSconie@lemm.ee 10 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

decimate /dĕs′ə-māt″/

transitive verb

To destroy or kill a large part of (a group of people or organisms).
To inflict great destruction or damage on.

"The storm decimated the region."
To reduce markedly in amount.

"a profligate heir who decimated his trust fund."

While some of the other definitions are "to take a tenth of" or "one out of every ten", the top three are usually the most common usage of the word in modern times.

[–] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

A professional journalist should know it, though.