BANE

bane. Bane, n. mischief, ruin, poison

---

Bane (bān), n. [[OE. bane destruction, AS. bana murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana murder, bano murderer, Goth. banja stroke, wound, Gr. φονεύσ murderer, φόνοσ murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike. √31.]] 1. 1. That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality. [Obs. except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane, etc.]
2. 2. Destruction; death.
The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their bane. Milton. 3. 3. Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe.
Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe. Herbert. 4. 4. A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot.
Syn. — Poison; ruin; destruction; injury; pest.