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rue
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As a noun, rue means any of various perennial shrubs of the genus Ruta, especially the herb Ruta graveolens (common rue), formerly used in medicines. As a verb, it means repent of or regret (some past action or event).
Meanings of rue
13 meaningsnoun
Any of various perennial shrubs of the genus Ruta, especially the herb Ruta graveolens (common rue), formerly used in medicines.
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivyplant
Similar: herb of grace, Ruta graveolensLeaves sometimes used for flavoring fruit or claret cup but should be used with great caution: can cause irritation like poison ivyfood
(French) a street or road in France
Older and rare meanings (2)
archaicdialectalSorrow; repentance; regret.
archaicdialectalPity; compassion.
verb
To repent of or regret (some past action or event); to wish that a past action or event had not taken place.
“I rued the day I crossed paths with her.”
Older and rare meanings (4)
obsoleteTo cause to repent of sin or regret some past action.
obsoleteTo cause to feel sorrow or pity.
archaicTo feel compassion or pity.
archaicTo feel sorrow or regret.
Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).