rape1

 
Pronunciation: /reɪp/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the crime, typically committed by a man, of forcing another person to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will: he denied two charges of rape [count noun]: he had committed at least two rapes
  • archaic the abduction of a woman, especially for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with her: the Rape of the Sabine Women
  • 2the wanton destruction or spoiling of a place: the rape of the countryside

verb

[with object]
  • 1(especially of a man) force (another person) to have sexual intercourse with the offender against their will: the woman was raped at knifepoint [no object]: he pleaded not guilty to burglary with intent to rape
  • 2spoil or destroy (a place): timber men doubt the government’s ability to ensure the forests are not raped

Derivatives

raper

noun (chiefly US)

Origin:

late Middle English (originally denoting violent seizure of property, later carrying off a woman by force): from Anglo-Norman French rap (noun), raper (verb), from Latin rapere 'seize'