sab|o|tage

sab|o|tage «SAB uh tahzh», noun, verb, -taged, -tag|ing.

–n.

1. damage done, as to work, tools, or machinery, by workmen as an attack or threat against an employer: »

A part of the syndicalist's method is sabotage, which originally referred to throwing a shoe into a machine so as to stop production and to further revolution (Emory S. Bogardus).

2. such damage done by civilians of a conquered nation to injure the conquering forces: »

The jailed cardinal furnished a rallying cause for…agitation and sabotage (Time).

3. damage done by enemy agents or sympathizers in an attempt to slow down a nation's war effort.

4. malicious attacking of or secret working against any cause to which cooperation is due: »

Forces are at work in Germany for the sabotage of the Treaty (Glasgow Herald).

–v.t.

to damage or destroy by sabotage: »

to sabotage an ammunition plant. Conservatives sabotaged the heavy spending program.

╂[< French sabotage < saboter to bungle, walk noisily < sabot wooden shoe (possibly because wooden shoes were thrown into machinery to damage it); see etym. under sabot (Cf. ↑sabot)]