wreck

views updated May 18 2018

wreck / rek/ • n. the destruction of a ship at sea; a shipwreck: the survivors of the wreck. ∎  a ship destroyed in such a way: the salvaging of treasure from wrecks. ∎  Law goods brought ashore by the sea from a wreck and not claimed by the owner within a specified period (usually a year): the profits of wreck. ∎  something, esp. a vehicle or building, that has been badly damaged or destroyed: the plane was reduced to a smoldering wreck | fig. the wreck of their marriage. ∎  the disorganized remains of something that has suffered damage or destruction. ∎  a road or rail crash: a train wreck. ∎  a person whose physical or mental health or strength has failed: the scandal left the family emotional wrecks.• v. [tr.] (usu. be wrecked) cause the destruction of (a ship) by sinking or breaking up: he was drowned when his ship was wrecked. ∎  involve (someone) in such a wreck: sailors who had the misfortune to be wrecked on these coasts. ∎  [intr.] [usu. as n.] (wrecking) chiefly hist. cause the destruction of a ship in order to steal the cargo: the locals reverted to the age-old practice of wrecking. ∎  [intr.] archaic suffer or undergo shipwreck. ∎  destroy or severely damage (a structure or vehicle): the blast wrecked more than 100 houses. ∎  spoil completely: an eye injury wrecked his chances of a professional career. ∎  [intr.] [usu. as n.] (wrecking) engage in breaking up badly damaged vehicles, demolishing old buildings, or similar activities to obtain usable spares or scrap.

wreck

views updated May 29 2018

wreck what is cast ashore by the sea; ruined or disabled ship XIII; disabling of a vessel XV. — AN. wrec — ON. *wrek, f. *wrekan drive (see WREAK).
Hence wreck vb. make a wreck OF. XV (cf. AL. wrecāre XII). wreckage wrecking; remains of a wrecked vessel. XIX.