Vastate

I learned a new word yesterday, 'VASTATE'. The definition given was

'make immune; purify by destroying evil elements'.

Although there seemed to be consensus that the root word was Latin there were several similar words given;

vastus - 'Empty, unoccupied. Vast, immense'

vastatio(n-), from vastare ‘lay waste’

past participle of vastare 'to lay waste'

I made a little more progress with 'VASTATION'. Merriam-Webster offered -

  'a renewal or purification through the burning away or destruction of evil attributes', 

and The Oxford English suggested - 'The purification of someone or something by the destruction of evil qualities or elements; spiritual purgation.'

Both forms are the word are 'archaic' or 'obsolete'. Also, most references found offered up 'devastation' either as a definition or a replacement for 'vastation'.

You may be wondering about now, why this word study? 

I recently found out that my nephew was sexually abused at a church that I once attended. In light of this revelation, most of my waking thoughts since, have revolved around this topic, this specific incident, how it has shaped him and how I might now display support. He has experienced the 'devastation' of abuse; 'the great destruction or damage' caused by it, the 'severe and overwhelming shock or grief'  that this word defines. 

Whilst the definitions of 'vastate' seems to imply more of a personal search for those unlovely things in us that need correction, it struck me that 'vastation' should certainly not be replaced by 'devastation' because it implies an opposite process, one that causes harm.

 Vastation would then be a process where healing could allow a person an immunity to the further effects of abuse on their minds and spirits; a purification of the soul from the darkness imposed on it; a purging of the evil elements that have scarred their hearts and bodies. 

It seemed to me that this should not be an obsolete word because it has such great relevance in the lives of so many. 

ot