- OE. destroiendestruiendestrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, fr. L. destrueredestructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure
- 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.
- To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.
- 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.To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish.
