v. [f. L. centēsimāre (f. centēsimus hundredth): see -ATE3. Cf. decimate.] To select every hundredth person for punishment. So Centesimation.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., III. 122 (L.). Sometimes the Criminals were decimated by lot, as appears in … Julius Capitolinus, who also mentions a centesimation.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., Macrinus sometimes decimated and sometimes centesimated the soldiers.
1768. E. Buys, Dict. Terms of Art, Centesimation, a milder Kind of military Punishment … when only every hundredth Man is executed.
1839. De Quincey, Wks. (1862), VII. 270. Elsewhere, we decimate, or even centesimate.
