wreck

Meaning

Noun

1. Something or someone that has been ruined.
2. The remains of something that has been severely damaged or worn down.
3. An event in which something is damaged through collision.
4. An event in which something is damaged through collision.
5. Goods, etc. cast ashore by the sea after a shipwreck.
6. A large number of birds that have been brought to the ground, injured or dead, by extremely adverse weather.

Verb

1. To destroy violently; to cause severe damage to something, to a point where it no longer works, or is useless.
2. To ruin or dilapidate.
3. (obsolete) To plunder goods from wrecked ships.
4. To dismantle wrecked vehicles or other objects, to reclaim any useful parts.
5. To involve in a wreck; hence, to cause to suffer ruin; to balk of success, and bring disaster on.
6. To be involved in a wreck; to be damaged or destroyed.
7. (informal) To cease or dissolve a friendship or with someone.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹɛk/

Etymology

From Middle English wrek, from Anglo-Norman wrek, from Old Norse *wrek (Norwegian and Icelandic rek, Swedish vrak, Danish vrag), from Proto-Germanic *wrekaną, whence also Old English wrecan (English wreak), Old High German rehhan, Old Saxon wrekan, Gothic 𐍅𐍂𐌹𐌺𐌰𐌽 (wrikan).