- Ruin
- Ruin Ru"in, n. [OE. ruine, F. ruine, fr. L. ruina, fr. ruere,
rutum, to fall with violence, to rush or tumble down.]
1. The act of falling or tumbling down; fall. [Obs.] ``His
ruin startled the other steeds.'' --Chapman.
[1913 Webster]
2. Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction; overthrow; as, the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes. ``Ruin seize thee, ruthless king!'' --Gray. [1913 Webster]
3. That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury or decay; as, his mind is a ruin; especially, in the plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or desolate house, fortress, city, or the like. [1913 Webster]
The Veian and the Gabian towers shall fall, And one promiscuous ruin cover all; Nor, after length of years, a stone betray The place where once the very ruins lay. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
The labor of a day will not build up a virtuous habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character. --Buckminster. [1913 Webster]
4. The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin. [1913 Webster]
5. That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction. [1913 Webster]
The errors of young men are the ruin of business. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Destruction; downfall; perdition; fall; overthrow; subversion; defeat; bane; pest; mischief. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
