[de.stroy] vb [ME, fr. OF destruire, fr. (assumed) VL destrugere, alter. of L destruere, fr. de- + struere to build--more at structure] vt (13c) 1: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of "~ed the files"; also: to ruin as if by tearing to shreds "their reputation was ~ed"
2. a: to put out of existence: kill b: neutralize "the moon ~s the light of the stars" c: annihilate, vanquish "armies had been crippled but not ~ed --W. L. Shirer" ~ vi: to cause destruction