Hypertext Webster Gateway: "destroy"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

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}.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

destroy
v 1: do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of; "The fire
destroyed the house" [syn: {destruct}]
2: destroy completely; damage irreparably; "You have ruined my
car by pouring sugar in the tank!"; "The tears ruined her
make-up" [syn: {ruin}]
3: defeat soundly: "The home team demolished the visitors"
[syn: {demolish}]
4: as of animals: "The customs agents destroyed the dog that
was found to be rabid"

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