- Destroying
- Destroy De*stroy", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Destroyed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Destroying}.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien,
OF. destruire, F. d['e]truire, fr. L. destruere, destructum;
de + struere to pile up, build. See {Structure}.]
1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently
into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and
organic existence of; to demolish.
[1913 Webster]
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. --Ex. xxxiv. 13. [1913 Webster]
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume. [1913 Webster]
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. --Jer. xii. 17. [1913 Webster]
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill. [1913 Webster]
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some false guile pervert. --Milton.
Syn: To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See {Demolish}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
