WRECK, n. 1. Destruction; properly, the destruction of a ship or vessel on the shore. Hence,2. The ruins of a ship stranded; a ship dashed against rocks or land and broken, or otherwise rendered useless by violence and fracture.3. Dissolution by violence; ruin; destruction.The wreck of matter and the crush of worlds.4. The remains of any thing ruined; dead weeds and grass.5. In metallurgy, the vessel in which ores are washed the third time.6. Wreck, for wreak, is less proper. [See also Rack.]WRECK, v.t. 1. To stand; to drive against the shore, or dash against rocks, and break or destroy. The ship Diamond of new York, was wrecked on a rock in Cardigan Bay, on the coast of Wales.2. To ruin; as, they wreck their own fortunes.3. Wreck, for wreak, is improper.WRECK, v.i. To suffer wreck or ruin.
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