RU'INOUS, adjective [Latin ruinosus.] 1. Fallen to ruin; entirely decayed; demolished; dilapidated; as an edifice, bridge or wall in a ruinous state. 2. Destructive; baneful; pernicious; bringing or tending to bring certain ruin. Who can describe the ruinous practice of intemperance? 3. Composed of ruins; consisting in ruins; as a ruinous heap. Isaiah 17:1.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI