Rue — Defs

01 n. A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine.

1.
A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine.(Bot.)
“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.

Phrases & compounds

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.

02 v. t. To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over.

imp. & p. p. Rued; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing

1.
To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over.
“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.]
3.
To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from.[Prov. Eng.]

03 v. i. To have compassion.

1.
To have compassion.[Obs.]
“God so wisly [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.

04 n. Sorrow; repetance.