De*stroy" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. d'etruire, 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.
© Webster 1913.