Brandschatzung

German

Etymology

Brandschatz +‎ -ung. 16th-century recharacterization of the earlier (Middle High German) synonym Brandschatz.

The original meaning of the term is "exaction of tribute under the threat of pillaging". The shift to the now-prevalent meaning of "looting, pillaging" takes place in the 20th century, apparently by misunderstanding, but this usage is now sanctioned by the Duden, which glosses the term as Plünderung (“pillage”).

Pronunciation

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Noun

Brandschatzung m (genitive Brandschatzung, plural Brandschatzungen)

1. the exaction of tribute from a city under the threat of setting fire to it.
2. looting and pillaging

Synonyms

• (exaction of tribute): Brandschatz m
• (looting): Plünderung f

Further reading

• “Brandschatzung” in Duden online