n.
Pronunciation: ' b ā n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bana; akin to Old High German bano death
Date: before 12th century
1 a obsolete : KILLER , SLAYER b : POISON c : DEATH , DESTRUCTION <stop the way of those that seek my bane ― Philip Sidney> d : WOE
2 : a source of harm or ruin : CURSE <national frontiers have been more of a bane than a boon for mankind ― D. C. Thomson>