ruth

[ rooth ]
/ ruθ /

noun

pity or compassion.
sorrow or grief.
self-reproach; contrition; remorse.

Origin of ruth

First recorded in 1125–75, ruth is from the Middle English word ruthe, reuthe. See rue1, -th1

Definition for ruth (2 of 3)

Ruth 1
[ rooth ]
/ ruθ /

noun

a Moabite woman who married Boaz and became an ancestor of David: the daughter-in-law of Naomi.
a book of the Bible bearing her name.
a female given name.

Definition for ruth (3 of 3)

Ruth 2
[ rooth ]
/ ruθ /

noun

George HermanBabe,1895–1948, U.S. baseball player.

Example sentences from the Web for ruth

British Dictionary definitions for ruth (1 of 2)

ruth
/ (ruːθ) /

noun archaic

pity; compassion
repentance; remorse
grief or distress

Word Origin for ruth

C12: from rewen to rue 1

British Dictionary definitions for ruth (2 of 2)

Ruth
/ (ruːθ) /

noun

Old Testament
  1. a Moabite woman, who left her own people to remain with her mother-in-law Naomi, and became the wife of Boaz; an ancestress of David
  2. the book in which these events are recounted
George Herman, nicknamed Babe . 1895–1948, US professional baseball player from 1914 to 1935

Cultural definitions for ruth

Ruth

The great-grandmother of King David, known for her kindness and faithfulness. Not an Israelite herself, she married an Israelite who had come to her country with his family. Ruth's husband died, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, set out to return to the country of the Israelites. Ruth insisted on accompanying Naomi, saying, “ Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge.” In the country of the Israelites, Ruth married Boaz, a rich relative of her dead husband; Boaz had been attracted to Ruth by her generosity. Her story is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.