wreck

Definition

Something or someone that has been ruined.

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).

Example Sentences

• "He was an emotional wreck after the death of his wife."
• "To the fair haven of my native home, / The vvreck of vvhat I was, fatigued I come, […]"
• "In 2006, 18-year-old Nikki Catsouras was killed in a car wreck in Lake Forest."