IPA: //aʊtˈpleɪs//
KK: /aʊtpleɪs/
To end someone's job or position in a company or organization.
The company decided to outplace several employees due to budget cuts.
Past: outplaced
Past Participle: outplaced
This word originates from the combination of 'out-' (meaning outside or beyond) and 'place' (from Old French *place*, meaning a location or position). The word 'outplace' means to place something outside of its usual position or to surpass someone in a particular context.
Think of something being placed 'outside' ('out-') of its usual 'location' ('place') — that's why outplace means to surpass or displace.