From Latin 'destructio' (a pulling down) — etymologically the reversal of building, the un-construction of something.
The action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired; the state of having been destroyed.
From Old French 'destruction,' from Latin 'dēstructiō' (a pulling down, a demolishing), the noun of action from 'dēstruere' (to pull down, to demolish, to undo), a compound of 'dē-' (down, reversal of) + 'struere' (to build, pile up, arrange). PIE root *strew- (to spread, strew). Destruction is etymologically the 'un-building' — the exact mirror of construction
Destruction literally means 'un-building.' Latin 'dēstruere' is the exact opposite of 'construere' (to build together). The same root 'struere' (to build, to pile up) produces 'structure,' 'construct,' 'instruct' (to build into someone's mind), 'obstruct' (to build against), and 'industry' (from 'industria,' building within — diligence).
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