1. v. & n.
--v.tr. (rues, rued, rueing or ruing) repent of; bitterly feel the consequences of; wish to be undone or non-existent (esp. rue the day).
--n. archaic 1 repentance; dejection at some occurrence.
2 compassion or pity.
Etymology: OE hreow, hreowan 2. n. a perennial evergreen shrub, Ruta graveolens, with bitter strong-scented leaves formerly used in medicine.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L ruta f. Gk rhute