bane Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something causing misery or death
    nemesis; curse; scourge.
    • the bane of my life

WordNet

Bane noun
Etymology
OE. bane destruction, AS. bana murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana murder, bano murderer, murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike. .
Definitions
  1. That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality. Obs. except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane, etc.
  2. Destruction; death. Obs.
    The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their bane. Milton.
  3. Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe.
    Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe. Herbert.
  4. A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot. Syn. -- Poison; ruin; destruction; injury; pest.
Bane transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be the bane of; to ruin. Obs. Fuller.

Webster 1913