ruin Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
ruination.
- you have brought ruin on this entire family
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noun a ruined building
- they explored several Roman ruins
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noun the process of becoming dilapidated
dilapidation.
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noun an event that results in destruction
ruination.
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noun failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
ruination; downfall.
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noun destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
ruination; laying waste; ruining; wrecking.
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verb destroy completely; damage irreparably
destroy.
- You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!
- The tears ruined her make-up
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verb destroy or cause to fail
- This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election
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verb reduce to bankruptcy
break; smash; bankrupt.
- My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
- The slump in the financial markets smashed him
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verb reduce to ruins
- The country lay ruined after the war
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verb deprive of virginity
deflower.
- This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village
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verb fall into ruin
WordNet
Ru"in noun
Etymology
OE.Definitions
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The act of falling or tumbling down; fall. Obs. "His ruin startled the other steeds." Chapman. -
Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction; overthrow; "Ruin seize thee, ruthless king!" Gray.as, the .ruin of a ship or an army; theruin of a constitution or a government; theruin of health or hopes -
That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury or decay; as, his mind is a ; especially, in the plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or desolate house, fortress, city, or the like.ruin 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.
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The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or worthless; as, to be in .ruins ; to go toruin -
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 transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F.Wordforms
Definitions
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 intransitive verb
Definitions
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.