/ship"rek'/ , n.
1. the destruction or loss of a ship, as by sinking.
2. the remains of a wrecked ship.
3. destruction or ruin: the shipwreck of one's hopes.
v.t.
4. to cause to suffer shipwreck.
5. to destroy; ruin.
v.i.
6. to suffer shipwreck.
[ bef. 1100; ME shipwrech remains of a shipwreck; see SHIP, WRECK; r. OE scipwraec (see WRACK 1 ) ]