~ 1
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing or ruing , ~d ) bitterly regret (a past event or action) and wish it undone.
■ noun archaic
1》 repentance; regret.
2》 compassion; pity.
Origin
OE hrēow 'repentance', hrēowan 'affect with contrition', of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun a perennial evergreen shrub with bitter strong-scented lobed leaves which are used in herbal medicine. [ Ruta graveolens .]
↘used in names of plants that resemble ~, e.g. meadow ~ .
Origin
ME: from OFr., via L. from Gk rhutē .