Category:Rue

Rue, n. Etym: [f. rue, l. ruta, akin to gr. r.]

1. (bot.)

Defn: a perennial suffrutescent plant (ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine. Then purged with euphrasy and rue the visual nerve, for he had much to see. Milton. They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, rue, which from thence, as we suppose, came to be called herb of grace. Jer. Taylor.

2. Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret. Goat's rue. See under goat. -- rue anemone, a pretty springtime flower (thalictrum anemonides) common in the United States. -- wall rue, a little fern (asplenium ruta-muraria) common on walls in Europe. See Common Rue.

Rue Rue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.] Etym: [oe. Rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, as. hreówan; akin to os. Hrewan, d. rouwen, ohg. hriuwan, g. reun, icel. hruggr grieved, Hrugedh sorrow. sq. root 18. Cf. Ruth.]

1. To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over. Chaucer. I wept to see, and rued it from my heart. Chapmen. Thy will chose freely what it now so justly rues. Milton.

2. To cause to grieve; to afflict. [obs.] "... it rueth me." Chaucer.

3. To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from. [prov. Eng.]

Rue Rue, v. i.

1. To have compassion. [obs.] God so wisely [i. e., truly] on my soul rue. Chaucer. Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them. Ridley.

2. To feel sorrow and regret; to repent. Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue. Chaucer. Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. Tennyson.

Rue Rue, n. Etym: [as. hreów. See rue, v. t.]

Defn: sorrow; repetance. [obs.] Shak.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Rue - A garden herb (Ruta graveolens) which the Pharisees were careful to tithe (Luke 11:42), neglecting weightier matters. It is omitted in the parallel passage of Matthew 23:23. There are several species growing wild in Palestine. It is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. It has a powerful scent, and is a stimulant. (See MINT.)