Definition of: ruin

(r′in) noun
1. Total destruction of value or usefulness; in morals, the loss of character, chastity, or honor; seduction; corruption.
2. That which remains of something demolished, destroyed, or decayed: often in the plural.
3. A condition of desolation or degradation.
4. That which causes destruction, downfall, decay, or injury: Gambling was his ruin.
5. The act of falling down; collapse.
—v.t.
1. To bring to ruin; destroy; demolish.
2. To bring to bankruptcy or poverty.
3. To deprive of chastity; seduce.
—v.i.
4. To fall into ruin. See synonyms under ABUSE, DEMOLISH. [<OF ruine <L ruina <ruere fall]
—ru′in·a·ble adjective
—ru′in·er noun Synonyms (noun): collapse, decay, defeat, desolation, destruction, discomfiture, downfall, fall, overthrow, perdition, subversion, undoing, wreck. See ADVERSITY, MISFORTUNE. Antonyms: conservation, preservation, prosperity, recovery, regeneration, reparation, success.