Definitions for: Ruin


[n] destruction achieved by wrecking something
[n] a ruined building; "they explored several Roman ruins"
[n] failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
[n] an event that results in destruction
[n] the process of becoming dilapidated
[n] an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction; "you have brought ruin on this entire family"
[v] fall into ruin
[v] deprive of virginity; "This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village"
[v] destroy completely; damage irreparably; "You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!"; "The tears ruined her make-up"
[v] reduce to ruins; "The country lay ruined after the war"
[v] reduce to bankruptcy; "My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!"
[v] destroy or cause to fail; "This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

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.

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.

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.

The labor of a day will not build up a virtuous
habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character.
--Buckminster.

4. The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or
worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin.

5. That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction.

The errors of young men are the ruin of business.
--Bacon.

Syn: Destruction; downfall; perdition; fall; overthrow;
subversion; defeat; bane; pest; mischief.


Ru"in, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruined;p. pr. & vb. n.
Ruining.] [Cf. F. ruiner, LL. ruinare. See Ruin, n.]
To bring to ruin; to cause to fall to pieces and decay; to
make to perish; to bring to destruction; to bring to poverty
or bankruptcy; to impair seriously; to damage essentially; to
overthrow.

this mortal house I'll ruin. --Shak.

By thee raised, I ruin all my foes. --Milton.

The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us.
--Franklin.

By the fireside there are old men seated, Seeling
ruined cities in the ashes. --Longfellow.


Ru"in, v. i.
To fall to ruins; to go to ruin; to become decayed or
dilapidated; to perish. [R.]

Though he his house of polished marble build, Yet shall
it ruin like the moth's frail cell. --Sandys.

If we are idle, and disturb the industrious in their
business, we shall ruin the faster. --Locke.

Synonyms: bankrupt, break, deflower, destroy, dilapidation, downfall, laying waste, ruination, ruination, ruination, ruining, wrecking

See Also: baffle, bilk, break, break, building, burn, burn down, bust, bust up, consume, copulate, couple, cross, crumble, decay, decay, delapidate, demolition, desolate, desolation, desolation, despoil, destruction, destruction, devastate, devastation, devastation, devastation, devour, edifice, explode, failure, finish, fire, foil, frustrate, get, harry, impoverish, kick down, kick in, lay waste to, mate, pair, plunder, queer, rape, ravage, scotch, shipwreck, shipwreck, shipwreck, spoil, spoil, subvert, thwart, undo, vandalise, vandalize, violate, wash out, waste, wrack, wreck

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