Rue

Rue (rṳ), n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. ῥυτή; cf. AS. rūde.] 1. (Bot.) 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.

Rue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.] [OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hreówan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reun, Icel. hruggr grieved, hrugð sorrow. √ 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.] "God wot, it rueth me." Chaucer.

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

Rue, v. i. 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.

Rue, n. [AS. hreów. See Rue, v. t.] Sorrow; repetance. [Obs.] Shak.