this mortal house I'll ruin. --Shak.
By thee raised, I ruin all my foes. --Milton.
The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us.
--Franklin.
By the fireside there are old men seated, Seeling
ruined cities in the ashes. --Longfellow.
2. Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely
defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction;
overthrow; as, the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of
a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or
hopes. ``Ruin seize thee, ruthless king!'' --Gray.
3. That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury
or decay; as, his mind is a ruin; especially, in the
plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or
desolate house, fortress, city, or the like.
The Veian and the Gabian towers shall fall, And one
promiscuous ruin cover all; Nor, after length of
years, a stone betray The place where once the very
ruins lay. --Addison.
The labor of a day will not build up a virtuous
habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character.
--Buckminster.
4. The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or
worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin.
5. That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction.
The errors of young men are the ruin of business.
--Bacon.
Syn: Destruction; downfall; perdition; fall; overthrow;
subversion; defeat; bane; pest; mischief.
Though he his house of polished marble build, Yet shall
it ruin like the moth's frail cell. --Sandys.
If we are idle, and disturb the industrious in their
business, we shall ruin the faster. --Locke.