[rɛk], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the destruction of a ship at sea; a shipwreck
(e.g: the survivors of the wreck)

- something, especially a vehicle or building, that has been badly damaged or destroyed
(e.g: the plane was reduced to a smouldering wreck)

- a person whose physical or mental health or strength has failed
(e.g: the scandal left the family emotional wrecks)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (as a legal term denoting wreckage washed ashore): from Anglo-Norman French wrec, from the base of Old Norse reka ‘to drive’; related to wreak

[rɛk], (Verb)

Definitions:
- destroy or severely damage (a structure, vehicle, or similar)
(e.g: the blast wrecked 100 houses)

- cause the destruction of (a ship) by sinking or breaking up
(e.g: he was drowned when his ship was wrecked)

- engage in breaking up (badly damaged vehicles) or demolishing (old buildings) to obtain usable spares or scrap
(e.g: police began handing out warnings to people wrecking cars without a license)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (as a legal term denoting wreckage washed ashore): from Anglo-Norman French wrec, from the base of Old Norse reka ‘to drive’; related to wreak