Advertisement

View synonyms for rape

rape

1

[ reyp ]

noun

  1. unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the person subjected to such penetration. sexual assault.
  2. any sexual activity, with or without penetration, that takes place without the consent of one of the people involved.
  3. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation:

    the rape of the countryside.

  4. Archaic. the act of seizing and carrying off by force:

    The rape of the Sabine women is the subject of several classical sculptures and paintings that depict Roman soldiers kidnapping unwilling brides.



verb (used with object)

, raped, rap·ing.
  1. to commit the crime of rape against (a person).
  2. The logging operation raped a wide tract of forest without regard for the environmental impact of their harvesting practices.

  3. Informal: Offensive. to totally defeat, wreck, dominate, or decimate.
  4. Archaic. to seize, take, or carry off by force.

verb (used without object)

, raped, rap·ing.
  1. to commit rape.

rape

2

[ reyp ]

rape

3

[ reyp ]

noun

  1. the residue of grapes, after the juice has been extracted, used as a filter in making vinegar.

rape

1

/ reɪp /

noun

  1. the offence of forcing a person, esp a woman, to submit to sexual intercourse against that person's will See also statutory rape
  2. the act of despoiling a country in warfare; rapine
  3. any violation or abuse

    the rape of justice

  4. archaic.
    abduction

    the rape of the Sabine women

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to commit rape upon (a person)
  2. also intr to plunder or despoil (a place) in war
  3. archaic.
    to carry off by force; abduct
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rape

2

/ reɪp /

noun

  1. a Eurasian plant, Brassica napus , that has bright yellow flowers and is cultivated for its seeds, which yield a useful oil, and as a fodder plant: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) Also calledcolzacole
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rape

3

/ reɪp /

noun

  1. often plural the skins and stalks of grapes left after wine-making: used in making vinegar
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Sensitive Note

There are many violent metaphors to describe a dramatic victory or defeat: The home team slaughtered the competition on Saturday. It was a bloodbath! They absolutely massacred the visiting team. The defense was decimated. Our guys killed it! This type of hyperbole is sometimes tasteless, but it is not generally considered to be offensive. However, rape is a crime with survivors in every stratum of every society. Using rape as a metaphor for some other struggle trivializes the trauma of sexual assault that many have suffered. Such figurative usage is beyond insensitive and should be avoided.
Discover More

Other Words From

  • rap·a·ble rape·a·ble adjective
  • rap·ist rap·er noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rape1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English rapen, from Anglo-French raper, from Latin rapere “to seize, carry off by force, plunder”; (for the noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French ra(a)p(e), derivative of raper

Origin of rape2

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French or directly from Latin rāpum (neuter), rāpa (feminine) “turnip”; cognate with Greek rhápys

Origin of rape3

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French râpe, Old French, Middle French raspe “grape stalks,” from Germanic; compare Old High German raspōn “to scrape,” Medieval Latin raspa “bunch of grapes”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rape1

C14: from Latin rapere to seize

Origin of rape2

C14: from Latin rāpum turnip

Origin of rape3

C17: from French râpe , of Germanic origin; compare Old High German raspōn to scrape together
Discover More

Example Sentences

The father, Jean Paul Kruse, was later charged with rape and sexual abuse.

When it comes to the increasing number of rape allegations leveled at Bill Cosby, the smoke is becoming impenetrable.

Dean Todd arranged for me to sit behind a screen and talk about my rape for a group of student leaders and activists.

Another bombshell: There is no statute of limitations on rape in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

It was shocking to find out that the rape by Beebe was actually the last one of the night.

Murder, rape, arson, and a host of other atrocities are often the first evidence of a diseased brain.

He kept his promise, and then, after much entreaty, gave Helvetius a pinch of the powder—about as much as a rape-seed.

Miss Laura cleaned each cage, and gave each bird some mixed rape and canary seed.

In the Eleusinian mysteries the rape of Persephone by Pluto, the winter god, is portrayed.

The rape of the Sabines is another incident suggesting the same conclusion.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Rapa Nuirape culture