rue
rue
Pronunciation
/ruː/
/r/ - This represents the "r" sound, as in "red" or "run". It's a consonant sound made with the tongue near the back of the teeth or the alveolar ridge.
/uː/ - This represents the long "oo" sound, as in "food" or "blue". It's a vowel sound made with the back of the tongue high and rounded lips.
Word Form Variations
Verb:
rue (present tense): He/She/It rues the day.
rued (past tense): He rued his decision.
ruing (present participle): He is ruing his mistake.
rues (third-person singular present): She rues the consequences.
Noun: "Rue" can also be a noun, referring to a bitter herb. In this usage, it's generally used in the singular. You wouldn't typically say "rues" in this context.
Related word (not a direct inflection, but related in meaning):
rueful (adjective): expressing sorrow or regret. This isn't a form of "rue" itself, but it carries a similar meaning.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Herb)
Definition: A bitter-tasting herb with a strong scent, formerly used in medicine and believed to have protective properties.
Synonyms: Herb of grace, Ruta graveolens (botanical name)
Antonyms: (Difficult to find a direct antonym for a specific herb. Perhaps something like "sweet herb" or "culinary herb" could be considered a loose antonym, focusing on its taste and use.)
Verb
Definition: To feel sorrow or regret for something done or not done.
Synonyms: Regret, repent, lament, deplore, bemoan, grieve
Antonyms: Rejoice, celebrate, delight, revel, exult
Adjective (Related - not a direct form of "rue" but closely related in meaning)
Definition: Feeling or expressing sorrow or regret; causing or expressing pity or sorrow. (Note: this describes the feeling associated with "rue," not the act of "rueing.")
Synonyms: Sorrowful, regretful, contrite, penitent, remorseful, mournful
Antonyms: Joyful, happy, pleased, delighted, content, satisfied
Examples of Use
Verb (Regret):
Literature: "He would rue the day he ever set foot in this place." (Common literary tropes, variations appear in countless novels.)
News: "The politician later rued his controversial remarks, issuing a public apology." (Numerous examples can be found in news articles by searching for "politician rued remarks.")
Online Commentary: "I rue the money I spent on that useless gadget." (Common sentiment expressed on social media platforms like Reddit or Twitter.)
Song Lyrics: "I rue the day we met, now all I feel is regret." (A common theme in many songs across genres.)
General Discourse: "I rue not taking that job offer; it seemed perfect in hindsight." (Everyday conversation.)
Noun (Herb):
Gardening/Botany: "Rue is a hardy perennial herb that thrives in well-drained soil." (Numerous gardening websites and books mention rue, such as those published by the RHS or Burpee.)
Herbalism/Medicinal Use (Historically): "Rue was once considered a powerful medicinal herb, used to treat a variety of ailments." (Information about historical uses can be found in older herbals and books on traditional medicine. Modern herbalists may still discuss it, but its internal use is discouraged due to potential toxicity.)
Culinary Use (Less Common): "Though bitter, rue was sometimes used sparingly in cooking, particularly in older recipes." (Information can be found in books on historical cuisine.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Rue
"I must forever rue the day I held my tongue when silence was betrayal." — Martin Luther King Jr.
"He will rue the injustice, long after the crowd forgets it." — Harper Lee
"You may rue your words, but they cannot be unsaid." — Jane Austen
"Many tyrants came to rue their disdain for the common voice." — Voltaire
"We rue what we left unsaid more than what we dared." — Maya Angelou
"To rue the past is to live in its prison." — Eckhart Tolle
"Let them rue the day they underestimated a dreamer." — Oprah Winfrey
"Rue not the end, for it is but the start of a new reckoning." — Rumi
"Those who play with fire may one day rue its bite." — William Blake
"I rue only that I did not believe in myself sooner." — Unknown
Etymology
The word "rue" has a couple of different etymological paths, depending on whether you're talking about the verb (to regret) or the noun (the herb).
Verb (to regret):
The verb "rue" comes from Old English hreowan, meaning "to feel sorrow, repent." This itself likely comes from a Proto-Germanic root related to sorrow and regret. The first known use of "rue" in written English (around the 10th century) was indeed with this meaning of feeling sorrow or regret. So, from the very beginning, "rue" as a verb has been tied to that emotion.
Noun (the herb):
The noun "rue" (the herb) has a separate origin. It comes from the Latin word ruta, which referred to the rue plant. This Latin word's origin is a bit uncertain, but it might be related to Greek words. The first known use of "rue" for the herb in English (again, around the 10th or 11th century) was specifically referring to this bitter-tasting plant.
So, while both the verb and the noun "rue" are old words in English, they have distinct roots. The verb comes from a Germanic word for sorrow, while the noun comes from a Latin word for the plant itself. It's a fun example of how one word can have two completely different origins!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rue
Phrases and idioms with synonyms or related concepts:
Since "rue" is closely related to regret, remorse, and sorrow, we can look at idioms and phrases that capture similar sentiments:
"To bite one's tongue" (Implies regret for something said or almost said.)
"To kick oneself" (To regret something one did or didn't do.)
"To eat humble pie" (To express regret and apologize for a mistake.)
"To have regrets" (A very common phrase expressing remorse.)
"To be filled with remorse" (Expressing deep regret or guilt.)
"To look back in anger" (Often implies regret for past actions or missed opportunities.)
"No regrets" (An idiom expressing a lack of regret, often used as a motto or philosophy.)
"To live to regret" (To do something that one will later regret.)
"To cry over spilled milk" (To regret something that cannot be changed.)
"Woe is me" (An expression of sorrow or regret.)
Original phrases using "rue":
"The bitter taste of rue lingered in his memory." (Metaphorical use, connecting the herb's bitterness to the feeling of regret.)
"He carried the weight of rue on his shoulders." (Figurative language to describe the burden of regret.)
"Her heart echoed with the rueful song of what might have been." (Poetic expression of regret for missed opportunities.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rue from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
