Definitions for: Rue


[n] leaves sometimes used for flavoring fruit or claret cup but should be used with great caution: can cause irritation like poison ivy
[n] European strong-scented perennial herb with gray-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
[v] feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about



Webster (1913) Definition: Rue, n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. ?; cf. AS. r?de.]
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.


Rue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.]
[OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hre['o]wan;
akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reun, Icel.
hruggr grieved, hrug[eth] 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.]


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.


Rue, n. [AS. hre['o]w. See Rue, v. t.]
Sorrow; repetance. [Obs.] --Shak.

Synonyms: herb of grace, regret, repent, Ruta graveolens

See Also: experience, feel, genus Ruta, herb, herb, herb of grace, herbaceous plant, rue, rue, Ruta, Ruta graveolens

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