1. The intentional destruction, mutilation, alteration, or concealment of evidence, usu. a document. • If proved, spoliation may be used to establish that the evidence was unfavorable to the party responsible. [Cases: Evidence 78; Federal Civil Procedure 1636; Pretrial Procedure 434. C.J.S. Discovery § 79; Evidence§§ 163–165, 167–168.]
2. The seizure of personal or real property by violent means; the act of pillaging.
3. The taking of a benefit properly belonging to another.
4. Eccles. law. The wrongful deprivation of a cleric of his benefice. — spoliate (spoh-lee-ayt), vb. — spoliator (spoh-lee-ay-t[schwa]r), n.
