rue1

 
Pronunciation: /ruː/

verb (rues, rueing or ruing, rued)

[with object]
  • bitterly regret (something one has done or allowed to happen) and wish it undone: Ferguson will rue the day he turned down that offer she might live to rue this impetuous decision

noun

[mass noun] archaic
  • repentance; regret: with rue my heart is laden
  • compassion; pity: tears of pitying rue

Origin:

Old English hrēow 'repentance', hrēowan 'affect with contrition', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch rouw 'mourning' and German Reue 'remorse'

Spelling help

Rueing can also be spelled ruing: both are correct.