Plunder

/ˈplʌn.dər/ noun/verb

Definition

To steal goods or valuables, usually violently during a war or invasion; or the stolen goods themselves.

Etymology

From Dutch 'plunderen' and German 'plündern,' possibly related to 'Plunder' meaning 'household goods.' The word became common during the 1600s when describing soldiers taking valuables during war.

Kelly Says

The British Museum's entire collection basically represents organized plunder—artifacts taken from colonies are now called 'cultural heritage,' showing how language and time can make theft sound like preservation.

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