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Concept: Destroy

Superconcept: Break


Component Semantics:

Destroy
Definition: cause an existing Tangible-Entity to cease to exist
Required slot: object
Restriction: a Tangible-Entity
Restriction: must already exist
Restriction: ceases to exist
Primary slot: agent
Inherited from: Break
Restriction: causes object to cease to exist
Primary slot: instrument
Inherited from: Break
Restriction: a Tangible-Entity
Restriction: used in the Destruction of the object
Primary slot: by-means-of
Inherited from: Break
Restriction: an Event necessary to the Destruction of the object
WordNet 1.6 Synsets: destroy#1
WordNet 1.6 Synsets: --

This is the top level component for verbs that result in an existing Entity ceasing to exist. But it is not at the same level as Create. It is one of the unexpected asymmetries in the hierarchy. Cyc makes the symmetric choice anyway, resulting in such curiosities as Dying, HavingAMeal and Boiling all being specific kinds of cause-to-cease-to-exist.

Note that when an Entity ceases to exist, its parts, content, material, etc. may continue to exist. This allows things like dead bodies and Take-Apart.


Other Senses:

destroy2
Definition: ruin/damage severely
Transitivity: transitive
destroy3
Definition: defeat
Transitivity: transitive
destroy4
Definition: put to sleep
Transitivity: transitive

Reference: COBUILD

COBUILDdestroy1.1
Equivalents: destroy1, destroy2
COBUILDdestroy1.2
Equivalent: destroy1
COBUILDdestroy2
Equivalent: destroy4
COBUILDdestroy3
Equivalent: destroy2

Reference: LDOCE

LDOCEdestroy1
Equivalents: destroy1, destroy2
LDOCEdestroy2
Equivalent: destroy4

Reference: NODE

NODEdestroy1
Equivalent: destroy1
NODEdestroy1.1
Equivalent: destroy2
NODEdestroy1.2
Equivalent: destroy2
NODEdestroy1.3
Equivalent: destroy3
NODEdestroy1.4
Equivalent: destroy4

Reference: WordNet1.6

WNdestroy#1
Equivalent: destroy1
WNdestroy#2
Equivalent: destroy2
WNdestroy#3
Equivalent: destroy3
WNdestroy#4
Equivalent: destroy4