ruin

ruin [ro͞o′ən]

n.

[ME ruine < OFr < L ruina < ruere, to fall, hurl to the ground < IE * ereu- < base * er-, to set in motion, erect > RUN, RISE]

1. Archaic a falling down, as of a building, wall, etc.

2. [pl.] the remains of a fallen building, city, etc., or of something devastated, decayed, etc.

3.

a) a destroyed or dilapidated building, town, etc.

b) a person regarded as being physically, mentally, or morally a wreck of what he or she was

4. the state of being destroyed, decayed, dilapidated, etc.

5. downfall, destruction, devastation, etc.; specif.,

a) complete loss of means, solvency, position, etc.

b) moral downfall

c) loss of chastity in a woman

6. any cause of a person's downfall, destruction, etc. [gambling was his ruin]

vt.

to bring or reduce to ruin; specif.,

a) to destroy, spoil, or damage irreparably

b) to impoverish or make bankrupt

c) to deprive (a woman) of chastity

vi.

to go or come to ruin

ruiner

n.

SYN.- RUIN implies a state of decay, disintegration, etc. especially through such natural processes as age and weather [the barn is in a state of ruin]; DESTRUCTION implies annihilation or demolition, as by fire, explosion, flood, etc. [the destruction of the village in an air raid ]; HAVOC suggests total destruction or devastation, as following an earthquake or hurricane; DILAPIDATION implies a state of ruin or shabbiness resulting from neglect [the dilapidation of a deserted house ]