rue1
v.
(rues, rueing or ruing, rued)
bitterly regret (a past event or action) and wish it undone.
n.
archaic - repentance; regret.
- compassion; pity.
Etymology
OE hrēow ‘repentance’, hrēowan ‘affect with contrition’, of Gmc origin.
rue2
n.
a perennial evergreen shrub with bitter strong-scented lobed leaves which are used in herbal medicine.
[
Ruta graveolens.]
▸used in names of plants that resemble rue, e.g. meadow rue.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., via L. from Gk rhutē.
