wrack

• Nom désignant des algues marines séchées échouées sur le rivage, ou la destruction, la ruine de quelque chose, ainsi que la croissance de végétation marine comme les fucus et les laminaires.

A noun referring to dried seaweed cast ashore, the destruction or collapse of something, or the growth of marine vegetation such as rockweeds and kelp.

1. C1formalbritish

   Dried seaweed, especially that which has been washed ashore by the sea.

   Varech échoué

   • The beach was covered in wrack after the storm.
   • Farmers used wrack as a natural fertilizer for their fields.
   • They gathered wrack from the shore to use in their garden.

   Synonymeskelpseaweedtangle

2. Destruction or collapseC1formal

   The state of being destroyed, ruined, or collapsed.

   ruine

   • The old building fell to wrack and ruin over the decades.
   • The economy was in wrack after the financial crisis.
   • His life went to wrack and ruin after the accident.

   Synonymescollapsedemolitiondestructiondevastationhavocruinwreckage

   Antonymesbuildingconstructioncreation

3. Marine vegetationC1formalscientific

   A growth of large marine plants, such as rockweeds and kelp, found in coastal waters.

   végétation marine

   • The rocks were covered in thick wrack at low tide.
   • Divers observed the dense wrack beds beneath the surface.
   • Wrack provides a habitat for many small marine creatures.

   Synonymeskelpseaweedtangle

• Verbe signifiant infliger de vives souffrances physiques ou morales, ou endommager ou détruire gravement quelque chose.

A verb meaning to cause extreme physical or mental suffering, or to damage or destroy something severely.

1. Smash or break forcefullyC1formal

   To cause severe damage or destruction to something, often by violent force.

   fracasser violemment

   • The storm wracked the coastal town, leaving debris everywhere.
   • The explosion wracked the building, shattering windows and walls.
   • The earthquake wracked the ancient temple, reducing it to ruins.

   Synonymesdestroydevastateravageruinshattersmashwreck

   Antonymesbuildconstructfixmendrepairrestore