v.
Pronunciation: di- ' stro ̇ i, d ē -
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French destroy-, destrui-, stem of destrure, from Vulgar Latin *destrugere, alteration of Latin destruere, from de- + struere to build ― more at STRUCTURE
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of < destroy ed the files> also : to ruin as if by tearing to shreds <their reputation was destroy ed >
2 a : to put out of existence : KILL < destroy an injured horse> b : NEUTRALIZE <the moon destroy s the light of the stars> c : ANNIHILATE , VANQUISH <armies had been crippled but not destroy ed ― W. L. Shirer>
intransitive verb : to cause destruction