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# 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#m1)
2. Ruth: a girl's or woman's name, and a book of the Bible named after a woman called Ruth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#m2)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x1)
- Ruth sits next to me in class. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x2)
- The ruthless pirate showed no mercy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x3)
- The old poem speaks of ruth and sorrow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x4)
- The story of Ruth is in the Bible. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x5)
- The team was ruthless and scored six goals. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/#x6)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruth/#x1)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruth/#x2)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruth/#x3)

### 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

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ruth» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/ruth/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ruth» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ruth.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «ruth» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/ruth/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ruth» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ruth.html) on Mova free.