Tearing down or destroying a building or structure, or completely defeating someone in an argument or competition.
From Old French 'demoliss-' stem of 'demolir,' from Latin 'demoliri' (de- 'down' + moliri 'to build or construct'). The word literally means 'un-building.'
Interestingly, 'demolish' comes from the same Latin root as 'mole' (the animal), because both relate to digging and disturbing the ground—the animal demolishes gardens just as wrecking crews demolish buildings.
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