For forms see prec. [f. prec., superseding the earlier ANNIHIL from Fr.]
1. To reduce to non-existence, blot out of existence.
a. things material.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 112/2. Till the wormes be totally annihilatede or consumede.
1660. R. Coke, Just Vind., 22. God … can annihilate all the Universe in a moment.
1772. Pennant, Tours Scotl. (1774), 151. The vestiges of the Roman camp… are almost annihilated.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr., III. VI. ii. 387. The substance of the bread and wine was actually annihilated—nothing existed but the body and blood of the Redeemer.
b. things immaterial, actions, qualities, conditions of existence.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., 166. Idlenes annihilateth and corrupteth the goodnes of nature.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., Ded. 1. Who make profession in word … but in deed and effect do annihilate … the power and efficacie thereof.
1727. Pope, etc., Art of Sinking, 100. Ye Gods! annihilate but space and time, And make two lovers happy.
1813. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., X. 473. That event has totally annihilated all order and discipline.
c. Theol. To destroy the soul (as well as the body).
1634. Habington, Castara (1870), 174. Death … not annihilates, but uncloudes the soule.
1702. trans. Le Clerc’s Prim. Fathers, 306. Justin Martyr and St. Irenæus believed that after a certain time they [the Wicked] should be annihilated.
1728. De Foe, Magick, II. ii. 273. God can no more be the author of evil, than he can annihilate himself, and cease to be.
2. To make null and void, make of none effect, annul, cancel, abrogate (laws, treaties, rights, etc.).
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. cliii. 421. That shulde breke or adnychilate … the alyances that hath been sworne.
1579. W. Fulke, Confut. Sander, 558. To adnihilate the sacraments ministred by heretikes.
1665. Glanvill, Sceps. Sci., Addr. 5. To annihilate all such arguments.
1767. Junius Lett., xv. 65. These … rights … you can no more annihilate than you can the soil to which they are annexed.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., viii. 235. Annihilate law, and moral order is no more.
3. To treat as non-existent, set at nought. arch.
1542. Becon, Pathw. Prayer, Wks. 1843, 180. How were the singular merits of Christ’s death … adnihilated and set at nought.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., vii. 21. The effect and affection of men … Pharisaically ἐξουθενεῖν, to annihilate all others.
1755. Smollett, Don Quix. (1803), IV. 186. Who has thought proper to usurp your name, and annihilate your exploits.
a. 1843. Southey, Amat. Poems, Sonn. iii. Wks. II. 119. For Love annihilates the world to me!
4. To extinguish virtually; to reduce to silence, powerlessness or humiliation.
1630. Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (1870), 57. By a joynt conspiracy to ruine the House, and altogether to annihilate it.
1683. Brit. Spec., 226. An Omnipotent Power to create and annihilate Kings.
1771. Burke, Corr. (1844), I. 317. He has been not only ready, but earnest even, to annihilate himself.
1818. Byron, Childe Har., IV. lxxxiii. Thou who with thy frown Annihilated senates.
5. To destroy the collective or organized existence of anything, by reducing it to its elements; to put an army to utter rout, etc.
1808. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., IV. 115. We only wanted a few hundred more cavalry to annihilate the French army.
1879. Bartlett, Egypt to Pal., iii. 50. Near the mouth of the Nile Nelson annihilated the feet of Napoleon.
6. intr. To dwindle to nothing, become extinct.
1787. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 203. Their calling is, in fact, annihilating.
