rue

rue

rue¹ [ro͞o]

vt.

rued, ruing [ME reowen < OE hreowan, akin to Ger reuen, to regret, ON hryggr, sorrowful, prob. < IE base * kreu-, to strike, beat > Gr krouein]

1. to feel remorse or repentance for (a sin, fault, etc.)

2. to wish (an act, promise, etc.) undone or unmade; regret

vi.

to be sorrowful or regretful

n.

Archaic sorrow, repentance, or regret

rue² [ro͞o]

n.

[OFr < L ruta < Gr rhytē]

any of a genus (Ruta) of strong-scented shrubs of the rue family, esp. an herb ( R. graveolens) with yellow flowers and bitter-tasting leaves formerly used in medicine

adj.

designating a family (Rutaceae, order Sapindales) of woody dicotyledonous plants, including the gas plant and the citrus plants