Rue (?), n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. ; cf. AS. rde.]

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.

Then purged with euphrasy and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see. Milton.

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.

2.

Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Rue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.] [OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hreowan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reun, Icel. hruggr grieved, hrug&edh; sorrow. &root; 18. Cf. Ruth.]

1.

To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over.

Chaucer.

I wept to see, and rued it from my heart. Chapmen.

Thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Milton.

2.

To cause to grieve; to afflict.

[Obs.] "God wot, it rueth me."

Chaucer.

3.

To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from.

[Prov. Eng.]

 

© Webster 1913.


Rue, v. i.

1.

To have compassion.

[Obs.]

God so wisly [i. e., truly] on my soul rue. Chaucer.

Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them. Ridley.

2.

To feel sorrow and regret; to repent.

Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue. Chaucer.

Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. Tennyson.

 

© Webster 1913.


Rue, n. [AS. hreow. See Rue, v. t.]

Sorrow; repetance.

[Obs.]

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.

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