Hypertext Webster Gateway: "ruinous"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ruinous \Ru"in*ous\, a. [L. ruinosus: cf. F. ruineux. See
{Ruin}.]
1. Causing, or tending to cause, ruin; destructive; baneful;
pernicious; as, a ruinous project.
After a night of storm so ruinous. --Milton.
2. Characterized by ruin; ruined; dilapidated; as, an
edifice, bridge, or wall in a ruinous state.
3. Composed of, or consisting in, ruins.
Behold, Damascus . . . shall be a ruinous heap.
--Isa. xvii.
1.
Syn: Dilapidated; decayed; demolished; pernicious;
destructive; baneful; wasteful; mischievous. --
{Ru"in*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Ru"in*ous*ness}, n.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
ruinous
adj 1: extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin; "a
catastrophic depression"; "catastrophic illness"; "a
ruinous course of action" [syn: {catastrophic}]
2: causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden
violence or plague or ruin; "the blasting effects of the
intense cold on the budding fruit"; "the blasting force of
the wind blowing sharp needles of sleet in our faces"; "a
ruinous war" [syn: {blasting}]
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