Ruere

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To rush or hasten forward swiftly; to collapse or fall down suddenly; to move rapidly with great force
2. Acting with rapid motion or speed; experiencing a breakdown or sudden downfall; progressing or advancing quickly and powerfully
3. Moving forward in a fast, uncontrolled manner; causing a structural failure or sudden descent; proceeding with great velocity and intensity

Etymology: Latin "ruere" meant to rush headlong or to fall violently. A Roman could use it for a charging army or a collapsing wall, so the verb joined the speed of the rush to the force of the crash that followed. Its meanings of hurtling forward and coming down hard were both present from the start. The clearest descendant in English is "ruin," which comes through Old French "ruine" from Latin "ruina," a noun formed on the same stem. Its earliest English sense was physical, a tumbled building or a heap of rubble. The figurative sense of wrecked fortunes grew out of that picture of something that has fallen.

Synonyms: rush, hurry, race, charge, dart

Antonyms: linger, wait, delay, stay