1.The act of falling or tumbling down; fall. (Obs.) "His ruin startled the other steeds."
2.Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction; overthrow; as, the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes. "Ruin seize thee, ruthless king!"
3.That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury or decay; as, his mind is a ruin; especially, in the plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or desolate house, fortress, city, or the like. "The Veian and the Gabian towers shall fall, And one promiscuous ruin cover all; Nor, after length of years, a stone betray The place where once the very ruins lay." "The labor of a day will not build up a virtuous habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character."
4.The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin.
5.That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction. "The errors of young men are the ruin of business."
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