Brandschatzung

== German == === Etymology === Brandschatz +‎ -ung. 16th-century recharacterization of the earlier (Middle High German) synonym Brandschatz. The original meaning of the term is "exaction of tribute under the threat of pillaging". The shift to the now-prevalent meaning of "looting, pillaging" takes place in the 20th century, apparently by misunderstanding, but this usage is now sanctioned by the Duden, which glosses the term as Plünderung (“pillage”). === Pronunciation === === Noun === Brandschatzung f (genitive Brandschatzung, plural Brandschatzungen) the exaction of tribute from a city under the threat of setting fire to it. Synonym: Brandschatz m looting and pillaging Synonym: Plünderung f ==== Declension ==== === Further reading === “Brandschatzung” in Duden online