adj. 1. Lacking in variety, especially of species or genes: depauperate island faunas; a genetically depauperate population. 2. Arrested in growth or development; stunted. [Middle English depauperat, from Medieval Latin dēpauperātus, past participle of dēpauperāre, to make poor : Latin dē-, de- + pauper, poor; see PAUPER.] de·pau′pe·ration (-pə-rāshən) n. |
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