rue

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: herb of graceRuta graveolenssorrowregretruefulnessrepent

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivySynonyms: herb of graceRuta graveolens
  2. leaves sometimes used for flavoring fruit or claret cup but should be used with great caution: can cause irritation like poison ivy
  3. sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment“he drank to drown his sorrows”“he wrote a note expressing his regret”“to his rue, the error cost him the game”Synonyms: sorrowregretruefulness
  4. (French) a street or road in France

Verb (1)

  1. feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite aboutSynonyms: repentregret
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Rue \Rue\ (r[udd]), n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. "ryth`; cf. AS. r[=u]de.]

1.(Bot.) A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine. [1913 Webster]

Then purged with euphrasy and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, rue, which from thence, as we suppose, came to be called herb of grace.— Jer. Taylor.[1913 Webster]

2.Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret. [1913 Webster]

Goat's rue. See under Goat.

Rue anemone, a pretty springtime flower (Thalictrum anemonides) common in the United States.

Wall rue, a little fern (Asplenium Ruta-muraria) common on walls in Europe. [1913 Webster]

Rue \Rue\, v. i.

1.To have compassion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

God so wisly [i. e., truly] on my soul rue.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them.— Ridley.[1913 Webster]

2.To feel sorrow and regret; to repent. [1913 Webster]

Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
Old year, we'll dearly rue for you.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
Rue \Rue\, n. [AS. hre['o]w. See Rue, v. t.] Sorrow; repetance. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Rue \Rue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued (r[udd]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.] [OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hre['o]wan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reuen, Icel. hryggr grieved, hryg[eth] sorrow. [root] 18. Cf. Ruth.]

1.To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

I wept to see, and rued it from my heart.— Chapmen.[1913 Webster]
Thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.To cause to grieve; to afflict. [Obs.] "God wot, it rueth me." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

3.To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

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