2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Destroy  \De*stroy"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Destroyed};  p.  pr  & 
  vb  n.  {Destroying}.]  [OE.  destroien  destruien,  destrien, 
  OF  destruire,  F.  d['e]truire,  fr  L.  destruere  destructum 
  de  +  struere  to  pile  up  build.  See  {Structure}.] 
  1.  To  unbuild;  to  pull  or  tear  down  to  separate  virulently 
  into  its  constituent  parts  to  break  up  the  structure  and 
  organic  existence  of  to  demolish. 
 
  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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  destroy 
  v  1:  do  away  with  cause  the  destruction  or  undoing  of  "The  fire 
  destroyed  the  house" 
  2:  destroy  completely;  damage  irreparably;  "You  have  ruined  my 
  car  by  pouring  sugar  in  the  tank!";  "The  tears  ruined  her 
  make-up"  [syn:  {ruin}] 
  3:  defeat  soundly:  "The  home  team  demolished  the  visitors" 
  [syn:  {demolish}] 
  4:  as  of  animals:  "The  customs  agents  destroyed  the  dog  that 
  was  found  to  be  rabid" 

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