Definition of: spoliation

(spō′lē·ā′shən) noun
1. The act of despoiling; specifically, the plundering of neutral commerce by a belligerent.
2. Law Destruction; mutilation; alteration; specifically, the erasure, alteration, mutilation, or destruction of a paper to prevent its being used as evidence.
3. In English canon law, the taking of the fruits of a benefice under a pretended but illegal title, or a writ or suit brought on such grounds.
4. Law The destruction of a ship's papers so as to conceal its nationality, the character of its trade, cargo, etc. [<L spoliatio,, -onis <spoliare despoil]
—spo′li·a′tor noun