Rue \Rue\, n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. ?; cf. AS. r?de.]

1. (Bot.) A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine.

Then purged with euphrasy and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see. --Milton.

They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, rue, which from thence, as we suppose, came to be called herb of grace. --Jer. Taylor.

2. Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret.

Goat's rue. See under Goat.

Rue anemone, a pretty springtime flower (Thalictrum anemonides) common in the United States.

Wall rue, a little fern (Asplenium Ruta-muraria) common on walls in Europe.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Rue \Rue\, n. [AS. hre['o]w. See Rue, v. t.]

Sorrow; repetance. [Obs.]

--Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Rue \Rue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.]

[OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hre['o]wan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reun, Icel. hruggr grieved, hrug[eth] sorrow. [root] 18. Cf. Ruth.]

1. To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over. --Chaucer.

I wept to see, and rued it from my heart. --Chapmen.

Thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. --Milton.

2. To cause to grieve; to afflict. [Obs.]

``God wot, it rueth me.'' --Chaucer.

3. To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from. [Prov. Eng.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Rue \Rue\, v. i.

1. To have compassion. [Obs.]

God so wisly [i. e., truly] on my soul rue. --Chaucer.

Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them. --Ridley.

2. To feel sorrow and regret; to repent.

Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue. --Chaucer.

Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. --Tennyson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)