Talk:depauperize

This definition seem to be the antonym of the true meaning. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition (as just one of many available examples) to depauperize means to make depauperate. Depauperate means impoverished.118.209.58.216 03:48, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

Perhaps the "free from poverty" sense arose by confusion. See the book citation I've added. Equinox ◑ 19:49, 14 July 2014 (UTC)

According to the OED, the "free from poverty" sense is ten years older than the synonym of depauperate. (1863: B. Jerrold: Signals of Distress page 303: "The boys in this union will never be depauperized; they have to mix with the men, most of whom are gaol-birds.")

Although the OED inserts a hyphen for clarity, and I would recommend doing the same for this sense, the cites are hyphenless, so we can't make the distinction that I would prefer. Dbfirs 19:58, 14 July 2014 (UTC)