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Bane: meaning, definitions and examples

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bane

 

[ beɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

poisonous substance

A bane is a poisonous substance that causes harm or death to living organisms. It is often used metaphorically to describe something that is a cause of harm, annoyance, or misery.

Synonyms

curse, plague, poison, toxin

Examples of usage

  • The villain used a bane to poison the hero.
  • Jealousy can be the bane of a healthy relationship.
  • The pollution in the river is a bane to the local wildlife.
Context #2 | Noun

cause of ruin or harm

In literature, a bane is often portrayed as a cause of ruin or harm. It is something that brings about destruction or downfall.

Synonyms

catastrophe, downfall, ruin, undoing

Examples of usage

  • The character's ambition proved to be his bane.
  • Excessive pride was the bane of the king in the story.
Context #3 | Noun

archaic term for killer

In archaic usage, a bane referred to a killer or murderer. It was used to describe a person who caused death or harm to others.

Synonyms

assassin, killer, murderer, slayer

Examples of usage

  • The bane lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike.
  • The town was terrorized by a bane who preyed on the innocent.

Translations

Translations of the word "bane" in other languages:

🇵🇹 maldição

🇮🇳 अभिशाप

🇩🇪 Fluch

🇮🇩 kutukan

🇺🇦 прокляття

🇵🇱 klątwa

🇯🇵 呪い (noroi)

🇫🇷 malédiction

🇪🇸 maldición

🇹🇷 lanet

🇰🇷 저주 (jeoju)

🇸🇦 لعنة (la'na)

🇨🇿 kletba

🇸🇰 kliatba

🇨🇳 诅咒 (zǔzhòu)

🇸🇮 prekletstvo

🇮🇸 bölvun

🇰🇿 қарғыс

🇬🇪 წყევლა

🇦🇿 lənət

🇲🇽 maldición

Etymology

The word 'bane' originated from Old English 'bana', meaning 'killer' or 'destroyer'. It has been used in literature and language to signify something that causes harm or ruin. The metaphorical use of 'bane' to describe a source of misery or destruction has been prevalent in various works of art and storytelling.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,093, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.