The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Destroy \De*stroy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Destroying.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien,
   OF. destruire, F. d['e]truire, fr. L. destruere, destructum;
   de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.]
   1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently
      into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and
      organic existence of; to demolish.
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            But ye shall destroy their altars, break their
            images, and cut down their groves.    --Ex. xxxiv.
                                                  13.
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   2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to
      annihilate; to consume.
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            I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.
                                                  --Jer. xii.
                                                  17.
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   3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of;
      to kill.
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            If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,
            By some false guile pervert.          --Milton.

   Syn: To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin;
        throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate;
        deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See
        Demolish.
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