bane

n. [ OE. bane destruction, AS. bana murderer; akin to Icel. bani death, murderer, OHG. bana murder, bano murderer, Goth. banja stroke, wound, Gr. foney`s murderer, fo`nos murder, OIr. bath death, benim I strike. √31. ] 1. That which destroys life, esp. poison of a deadly quality. [ Obs. except in combination, as in ratsbane, henbane, etc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Destruction; death. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The cup of deception spiced and tempered to their bane. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any cause of ruin, or lasting injury; harm; woe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A disease in sheep, commonly termed the rot. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Poison; ruin; destruction; injury; pest. [ 1913 Webster ]