destroying

1 definition found

destroying - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Destroy \De*stroy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Destroying.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien,
     OF. destruire, F. d['e]truire, fr. L. destruere, destructum;
     de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.]
     1. 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.
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              But ye shall destroy their altars, break their
              images, and cut down their groves.    --Ex. xxxiv.
                                                    13.
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     2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to
        annihilate; to consume.
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              I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.
                                                    --Jer. xii.
                                                    17.
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     3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of;
        to kill.
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              If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,
              By some false guile pervert.          --Milton.
  
     Syn: To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin;
          throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate;
          deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See
          Demolish.
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