Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Destruction
1.
The act of destroying; a tearing down; a bringing to naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying; devastation.
The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and
destruction
. Esth. ix. 5.
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by
Than by
destruction
dwell in doubtful joy. Shakespeare
Destruction
of venerable establishment. Hallam.
2.
The state of being destroyed, demolished, ruined, slain, or devastated.
This town came to
destruction
. Chaucer.
Thou castedst them down into
destruction
. Ps. lxxiii. 18.
2.
A destroying agency; a cause of ruin or of devastation; a destroyer.
Syn. – Demolition; subversion; overthrow; desolation; extirpation; extinction; devastation; downfall; extermination; havoc; ruin.
Webster 1828 Edition
Destruction
DESTRUCTION
, n.1.
The act of destroying; demolition; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means; as the destruction of buildings, or of towns. Destruction consists in the annihilation of the form of any theing; that form of parts which constitues it what it is; as the destruction of grass or herbage by eating; of a forest, by cutting down the trees; or it denotes a total annihilation; as the destruction of a particular government; the destruction of happiness.2.
Death; murder; slaughter; massacre.There was a deadly destruction throughout all the city. 1 Sam. 5.
3.
Ruin.Destruction and misery are in their ways. Rom. 3.
4.
Eternal death. Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. Matt. 7.
5.
Cause of destruction; a consuming plague; a destroyer.The destruction that wasteth at noon-day. Ps. 91.