n. The act of depriving of vitality: as, the devitalization of tissue.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. the act of reducing the vitality of something
Word Usage
"A graceful girl in pink, with floating scarf, and gleaming _kris_ in her spangled sash, exhibits wonderful skill in the supple play of wrist and fingers, through the process known as devitalization, a form of drill which gives to the arm"