destroy etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: destruire
  • Latin: destruere
  • Dis- (apart) + struere (to build)

Meaning:

  • To cause the complete or extensive ruin or destruction of something.
  • To demolish or obliterate.
  • To put an end to or make ineffective.
  • To cause the mental or emotional downfall of someone.

Origin:

The word "destroy" originates from the Latin word "destruere," which means "to break down, pull down, or demolish." It is derived from the prefix "dis-" (meaning "apart") and the verb "struere" (meaning "to build"). The prefix "dis-" indicates that the action of "struere" is being undone, hence the meaning of "to destroy."

The word "destroy" has been used in English since the 13th century and has retained its meaning of causing extensive damage or ruin to something. It is commonly used in a physical sense to describe the destruction of buildings, objects, or environments. However, it is also used figuratively to describe the destruction of ideas, hopes, or emotions.

destroy relate terms

  • destroyer

    Etymology Destroyer is derived from the Old French word destruire meaning to destr

  • destroy

    Etymology Old French destruire Latin destruere Dis apart struere to build Me

  • destructive

    Meaning Destructive etymology refers to the practice of altering or twisting the meaning

  • destroy

    Etymology Old French destruire Latin destruere Dis apart struere to build Me

  • demolish

    Etymology The word demolish comes from the Old French word demolir which in turn co

  • destruct

    Etymology Destruct derives from the Latin destruere which means to pull down demo

  • ruin

    Etymology The word ruin comes from the Latin word ruina meaning falling down coll

  • consume

    Etymology Latin consumere to destroy use up exhaust Old French consumer consum

  • delete

    Meaning To permanently remove or erase something To terminate or stop the existence of

  • spill

    Etymology The word spill has several origins Old English spillan meaning to pour

  • amortize

    Etymology French amortir Latin ad to mortuus dead Meaning To extinguish or

  • eliminate

    Word Etymology Meaning Origin Abate Middle English from O

  • raze

    Etymology Middle English rasen from Old French raser from Late Latin rāsus past

  • dismantle

    Etymology Old French desmanteler desmantenir Late Latin dismantellare from dis ap