ruin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a ruined building

   they explored several Roman ruins

2. 2
   noun

   an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

   you have brought ruin on this entire family

3. 3
   verb

   reduce to ruins

   The country lay ruined after the war

4. 4
   verb

   destroy or cause to fail

   This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election

5. 5
   noun

   The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.

   The Veian and the Gabian towirs shall fall, / And one promiscuous ruin cover all; / Nor, after length of years, a stone betray / The place where once the very ruins lay.

6. 6
   noun

   The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.

   The monastery has fallen into ruin.

7. 7
   noun

   Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.

   Gambling has been the ruin of many.

8. 8
   noun

   A fall or tumble.

   His ruin startled th’ other steeds.

Etymology

From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“to fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).