Elamur Dictionary⌕
☰
dictionaries / English / R / ruth

ruth

noun (ruth — old-fashioned, uncountable); proper noun (Ruth, a name)

«ruth» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

  1. (old-fashioned) Pity or sorrow for others. tree →
  2. Ruth: a girl's or woman's name, and a book of the Bible named after a woman called Ruth. tree →

In the lessons

In modern English ruth is almost only met in ruthless (without pity, cruel) and as a name. In stories a ruthless villain shows no ruth. Phrases: ruthless, ruthlessly.

Examples

  • My aunt is called Ruth. tree →
  • Ruth sits next to me in class. tree →
  • The ruthless pirate showed no mercy. tree →
  • The old poem speaks of ruth and sorrow. tree →
  • The story of Ruth is in the Bible. tree →
  • The team was ruthless and scored six goals. tree →

Note

The name Ruth takes a capital letter. Ruth (pity) is old and rare, but ruthless is common. Do not confuse with truth.

In Jewish tradition

Here "ruth" is an old word for pity. The name Ruth in the Bible belongs to a Moabite woman who joined the Jewish people.

Interpretation. Tradition honours Ruth as a model convert, and the Book of Ruth is read on the festival of Shavuot. She was the great-grandmother of King David.

Examples

  • Then said Boaz unto Ruth: 'Hearest thou not, my daughter? (Writings RUT.2.8, JPS 1917) tree →
  • And they lifted up their voice, and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth cleaved unto her. (Writings RUT.1.14, JPS 1917) tree →
  • And Ruth the Moabitess said: 'Yea, he said unto me: Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.' (Writings RUT.2.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

The name Ruth takes a capital letter. Ruth (pity) is old and rare, but ruthless is common. Do not confuse with truth.

On Mova

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/ruth/