Webster's English Dictionary

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destroy

de.stroy \di-'stro.i\ vb [ME destroyen, fr. OF destruire, fr. (assumed) VL 
   destrugere,] alter. of L destruere, fr. de- + struere to build - more at 
   STRUCTURE 1: to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of : 
   DEMOLI SH 2a: to put out of existence : KILL  2b: NEUTRALIZE  2c: to 
   subject to a crushing defeat : ANNIHILATE  : to cause destruction