pŏpŭlātĭo, ōnis, f. [populor], a laying waste, ravaging, plundering, spoiling, devastation, etc. (not in Cic.).
I Lit.: populationem effuse facere, Liv. 2, 64.—In plur.: populationibus incursionibusque, Liv. 3, 3 fin. : hostem rapinis, pabulationibus populationibusque prohibere, Caes. B. G. 1, 15.—
B Transf.
1 Concr., things plundered , plunder , booty : Veientes pleni populationum, Liv. 2, 43.—
2 A ravaging , destroying done by animals: a populatione murium formicarumque frumenta defendere, Col. 2, 20; so, volucrum, id. 3, 21.—
II Trop., destruction , corruption , ruin (post-Aug.): morum, Plin. 9, 34, 53, § 104; of ruin through luxury , Col. 1, 5, 7.