Search results for 'ruin':

ruin noun 1 a broken, destroyed, decayed or collapsed state. 2 (often ruins) the remains of something which has been broken, destroyed or has decayed or collapsed, especially the remains of a building or group of buildings. 3 complete loss of wealth, social position, power, etc. 4 a person, company, etc that has lost all of their wealth, social position, power, etc. 5 something that brings about complete loss of wealth, social position, etc, or physical destruction, decay, etc. verb (ruined, ruining) 1 to reduce or bring someone or something to ruin; to destroy them. 2 to spoil. ruination noun. ruiner noun. in ruins said of a building, scheme, plan, etc: in a state of ruin; completely wrecked or destroyed.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from French ruine, from Latin ruina, from ruere to tumble down.