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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Destroy \De*stroy"\, verb (used with an object) [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.
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. --Ex. xxxiv. 13.
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. --Jer. xii. 17.
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill.
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}.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |