ruin

Where does the word "ruin" come from? It comes from Latin ruina, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Ruin’s story begins in Latin: ruina meant “a collapse.” From 'ruere', to fall violently. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ruine. Used of the fall of cities and empires. It reached English by 1300s as ruin. 'ruins' of buildings date from the 1400s; financial ruin followed. Today, ruin means destruction; the remains of a building.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ruina "a collapse", from 'ruere', to fall violently.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ruine "collapse", used of the fall of cities and empires.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s ruin "collapse", 'ruins' of buildings date from the 1400s; financial ruin followed.