rue

/ru/

/ru/

Other forms: rued; rues; ruing; rueing

To rue is to feel regret or remorse for something. If that position at the deli ended up involving a reality TV show that made everyone famous, you may rue the day you turned down the job.

Rue comes from the Old English word hreowan, meaning "to make sorry," and rue can still sum up a lot of sorrow in one small syllable. Shakespeare made the word famous in phrases like "rue the hour" and "rue the time," meaning you bitterly regret a moment, but did not use the exact phrase "rue the day" which actually occurs in Christopher Marlowe's play Tamburlaine the Great. Another common meaning of rue refers to a strong-scented herb often used for medicinal purposes back in the day. A lot of written works make puns where the plant alludes to sorrow and pain.

Definitions of rue

1. verb

   feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
   synonyms: regret, repent

   type of:

   experience, feel

   undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
2. noun

   sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment
   “to his rue, the error cost him the game”

   synonyms: regret, ruefulness, sorrow

   types:

   attrition, contriteness, contrition

   sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation

   compunction, remorse, self-reproach

   a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

   guilt, guilt feelings, guilt trip, guilty conscience

   remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense

   penance, penitence, repentance

   remorse for your past conduct

   type of:

   sadness, unhappiness

   emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
3. noun

   European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
   synonyms: Ruta graveolens, herb of grace

   type of:

   herb, herbaceous plant

   a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
4. noun

   leaves sometimes used for flavoring fruit or claret cup but should be used with great caution: can cause irritation like poison ivy
   type of:

   herb

   aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities
5. noun

   (French) a street or road in France
   type of:

   street

   a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings