Part 219

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.

Ex. xxxiv. 13.

2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume.

I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.

Jer. xii. 17.

3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill.

If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some false guile pervert.

Milton.

Syn. -- To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish.

De*stroy"a*ble (?), a. Destructible. [R.]

Plants . . . scarcely destroyable by the weather.

Derham.

De*stroy"er (?), n. [Cf. OF. destruior.] One who destroys, ruins, kills, or desolates.

De*struct" (?), v. t. [L. destructus, p. p. of destruere. See Destroy.] To destroy. [Obs.] Mede.

De*struc`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. destructibilité.] The quality of being capable of destruction; destructibleness.

De*struc"ti*ble (?), a. [L. destructibilis.] Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.

De*struc"ti*ble*ness, n. The quality of being destructible.

De*struc"tion (?), n. [L. destructio: cf. F. destruction. See Destroy.] 1. The act of destroying; a tearing down; a bringing to naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying; devastation.

The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction.

Esth. ix. 5.

'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.

Shak.

Destruction of venerable establishment.

Hallam.

2. The state of being destroyed, demolished, ruined, slain, or devastated.

This town came to destruction.

Chaucer.

Thou castedst them down into destruction.