n. [ F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. "ryth`; cf. AS. rūde.] 1. (Bot.) A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine. [1913 Webster]

Then purged with euphrasy and rue
The visual nerve, for he had much to see. Milton. [1913 Webster]

They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, rue, which from thence, as we suppose, came to be called herb of grace. Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret. [1913 Webster]

Goat's rue. See under Goat. --
Rue anemone, a pretty springtime flower (Thalictrum anemonides) common in the United States. --
Wall rue, a little fern (Asplenium Ruta-muraria) common on walls in Europe. [1913 Webster]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Rued p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing. ] [ OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hreówan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reuen, Icel. hryggr grieved, hrygð sorrow. √ 18. Cf. Ruth. ] 1. To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

I wept to see, and rued it from my heart. Chapmen. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thy will
Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to grieve; to afflict. [ Obs. ] “God wot, it rueth me.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To have compassion. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

God so wisly [ i. e., truly ] on my soul rue. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them. Ridley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To feel sorrow and regret; to repent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. hreów. See Rue, v. t. ] Sorrow; repetance. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expressing sorrow. “Rueful faces.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

See rewel bone. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ruelle a narrow street, a lane, ruelle, fr. rue a street. ] A private circle or assembly at a private house; a circle. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]