Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RU'IN-OUS, a. [L. ruinosus; Fr. ruineux.]

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. Is. xvii.