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.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|