Dejunk

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To clear out and discard items that are no longer needed or wanted
2. To tidy a space by eliminating clutter and unwanted objects
3. To get rid of excess or useless things to make an area more organized

Etymology: The verb "dejunk" is simply "de-" attached to "junk," with the prefix doing the work of reversing the action. "Junk" itself came into English as a word for old rope and worn-out cable, which sailors cut into pieces and used for caulking and other odd jobs aboard ship. Over time it came to mean discarded odds and ends in general, and then rubbish of any kind. The prefix "de-" comes from Latin "dē," which meant "down," "away," or "off." It passed into English as a productive element that could be fixed to a noun or verb to signal removal, reversal, or undoing. Attaching it to "junk" produced a verb meaning to strip out unwanted material, the same pattern seen in words like "defrost" or "delouse."

Synonyms: declutter, organize, clean, tidy, purge

Antonyms: clutter, accumulate, collect, hoard, gather