rue

¹ American  

[roo] / ru /

verb (used with object)

rued, ruing

1. to feel sorrow over; repent of; regret bitterly.

   to rue the loss of opportunities.

2. to wish that (something) had never been done, taken place, etc..

   I rue the day he was born.

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verb (used without object)

rued, ruing

1. to feel sorrow, repentance, or regret.

noun

1. sorrow; repentance; regret.

2. pity or compassion.

rue ² American  

[roo] / ru /

noun

1. any strongly scented plant of the genus Ruta, especially R. graveolens, having yellow flowers and leaves formerly used in medicine.

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rue ¹ British  

/ ruː /

verb

1. to feel sorrow, remorse, or regret for (one's own wrongdoing, past events with unpleasant consequences, etc)

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noun

1. archaic sorrow, pity, or regret

rue ² British  

/ ruː /

noun

1. Archaic name: herb of grace.  any rutaceous plant of the genus Ruta , esp R. graveolens , an aromatic Eurasian shrub with small yellow flowers and evergreen leaves which yield an acrid volatile oil, formerly used medicinally as a narcotic and stimulant Compare goat's-rue meadow rue wall rue

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Other Word Forms

• ruer noun
• unrued adjective

Etymology

Origin of rue¹

before 900; (v.) Middle English ruen, rewen, Old English hrēowan; cognate with Dutch rouwen, German reuen; (noun) Middle English rewe, reowe, Old English hrēow; cognate with Dutch rouw, German Reue; ruth

Origin of rue²

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin rūta < Greek rhȳtḗ

Example Sentences

Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill was delighted by the "spirit" and "resilience" his side showed in Bologna, but was left to rue what might have been after they coughed up a two-goal lead.

From BBC

But the Scot was left to rue several unforced errors, which allowed the world number two to pinch the second frame and settle into the match.

From BBC

Thankfully for him, Liverpool were not left to rue his moment of madness.

From BBC

The consumables that linger untouched, slowly dying in the fridge or pantry, leaving you to rue your choices like some sad, spoiled culinary ghost.

From Salon

In their first game since the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday, Fletcher was left to rue his side's finishing and their luck.

From Barron's