I. ˈrü noun
Etymology: Middle English rewe, from Old English hrēow; akin to Old High German hriuwa sorrow
Date: before 12th century
: regret , sorrow
with rue my heart is laden — A. E. Housman
II. verb
( rued ; ru·ing )
Date: 12th century
transitive verb
: to feel penitence, remorse, or regret for
intransitive verb
: to feel sorrow, remorse, or regret
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin ruta, from Greek rhytē
Date: 13th century
: a European strong-scented perennial woody herb ( Ruta graveolens of the family Rutaceae, the rue family) that has bitter leaves used medicinally