Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - ruth

 I. noun  Etymology: Hebrew Ruth  Date: 14th century  1. a Moabite woman who accompanied Naomi to Bethlehem and became the ancestress of David  2. a short narrative book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scriptures — see bible table  II. biographical name George Herman 1895-1948 Babe ~ or the Babe American baseball player  • ~ian adjective RUTH  noun  Etymology: Middle English ~e, from ruen to rue  Date: 13th century  1. compassion for the misery of another  2. sorrow for one's own faults ; remorse