United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
"The stadium was renamed Ruth Stadium to honor the legendary slugger who dominated Major League Baseball in the 1920s and 30s."
the great-grandmother of king David whose story is told in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament
"The book of Ruth tells the poignant story of Naomi, who was the mother-in-law but not a direct ancestor of King David."
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
"the blind are too often objects of pity"
a book of the Old Testament that tells the story of Ruth who was not an Israelite but who married an Israelite and who stayed with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died
"The biblical book of Ruth recounts how a Moabite woman remained loyal to her deceased husband's widowed mother-in-law before marrying into the tribe of Judah."
Sorrow for the misery of another; pity, compassion; mercy.
"Her eyes filled with ruth as she saw the injured bird struggle on the ground."
In plain English: Ruth is an old-fashioned word for deep pity or sorrow felt when someone else suffers misfortune.
"He spoke with great ruth to his enemies, showing no mercy in their punishment."
Usage: Use this archaic term only in historical or literary contexts to describe deep sorrow and pity for someone else's suffering. Modern speakers should choose synonyms like "compassion" or "mercy" instead.
A book of the Old Testament and the Hebrew Tanakh.
"The biblical text known as Ruth tells the story of a Moabite woman who becomes an ancestor of King David."
The word "ruth" comes from Middle English and originally meant deep grief or sorrow. It likely entered the language through contact with Old Norse words that shared this meaning of sadness rather than pity.