Ruin
/ˈruː.ɪn/noun
The state of being destroyed, decayed, or in complete disrepair.
Did you know?English ruin comes through Old French from Latin ruīna, a word tied to the idea of a fall or collapse, making it one of those ancient words where destruction is literally built into the meaning.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁rew-
“to flow, stream, or rush”
Latin
Latin
ruere
“to rush down, fall headlong, collapse”
Latin
Latin
ruīna
“a falling, collapse, downfall”
Old French
Old French
ruine
“collapse, destruction, ruin”
Middle English
English
ruin
“destruction, downfall, loss of prosperity”
Modern English
English
ruin
“the state of being destroyed or decayed”