spoliation Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun (law) the intentional destruction of a document or an alteration of it that destroys its value as evidence
noun the act of stripping and taking by force
despoliation; spoilation; spoil; despoilation; despoilment.

L. spoliatio; cf. F. spoliation. See Spoil, v. t.

The act of plundering; robbery; deprivation; despoliation.
Legal spoliation, which will impoverish one part of the community in order to corrupt the remainder. Sir G. C. Lewis.
Robbery or plunder in war; especially, the authorized act or practice of plundering neutrals at sea.
(Eccl. Law) (a) The act of an incumbent in taking the fruits of his benefice without right, but under a pretended title. Blackstone. (b) A process for possession of a church in a spiritual court.
(Law) Injury done to a document.