DESTROY


Meaning of DESTROY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ di-ˈstrȯi, dē- ]

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.