That is the origin of the word, but I don't see why there is anything wrong with using it as the original poster did: "to cause great destruction or harm to" is

That is the origin of the word, but I don't see why there is anything wrong with using it as the original poster did: "to cause great destruction or harm to" is a perfectly valid meaning of the word. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decimate http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decimate