rape

[ reyp ]

See synonyms for rape on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.: See also sexual assault.
statutory rape.

an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.
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.

to commit the crime of rape on (a person).
to plunder; despoil: The logging operation raped a wide tract of forest without regard for the environmental impact of their harvesting practices.

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

verb (used without object),raped, rap·ing.

to commit rape.

Origin of rape

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

usage note For rape

7. 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.

Other words from rape

rap·a·ble, rape·a·ble, adjective
rap·ist, rap·er, noun

Words Nearby rape

Other definitions for rape (2 of 3)

rape²

[ reyp ]

noun

rapeseed (def. 1).

Origin of rape

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

Other definitions for rape (3 of 3)

rape³

[ reyp ]

noun

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

Origin of rape

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”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rape in a sentence

The father, Jean Paul Kruse, was later charged with rape and sexual abuse.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking | Tina Traster | December 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
When it comes to the increasing number of rape allegations leveled at Bill Cosby, the smoke is becoming impenetrable.
Butts, Brawls, and Bill Cosby: The Biggest Celebrity Scandals of 2014  | Kevin Fallon | December 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Dean Todd arranged for me to sit behind a screen and talk about my rape for a group of student leaders and activists.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Another bombshell: There is no statute of limitations on rape in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was shocking to find out that the rape by Beebe was actually the last one of the night.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Murder, rape, arson, and a host of other atrocities are often the first evidence of a diseased brain.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas Inman
He kept his promise, and then, after much entreaty, gave Helvetius a pinch of the powder—about as much as a rape-seed.
Witch, Warlock, and Magician | William Henry Davenport Adams
Miss Laura cleaned each cage, and gave each bird some mixed rape and canary seed.
Beautiful Joe | Marshall Saunders
In the Eleusinian mysteries the rape of Persephone by Pluto, the winter god, is portrayed.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races | Sanger Brown, II
The rape of the Sabines is another incident suggesting the same conclusion.
Elements of Folk Psychology | Wilhelm Wundt

British Dictionary definitions for rape (1 of 3)

rape¹

/ (reɪp) /

noun

the offence of forcing a person, esp a woman, to submit to sexual intercourse against that person's will: See also statutory rape
the act of despoiling a country in warfare; rapine

any violation or abuse: the rape of justice
archaic abduction: the rape of the Sabine women

verb(mainly tr)

to commit rape upon (a person)
(also intr) to plunder or despoil (a place) in war

archaic to carry off by force; abduct

Origin of rape

C14: from Latin rapere to seize

British Dictionary definitions for rape (2 of 3)

rape²

/ (reɪp) /

noun

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 called: colza, cole

Origin of rape

C14: from Latin rāpum turnip

British Dictionary definitions for rape (3 of 3)

rape³

/ (reɪp) /

noun

(often plural) the skins and stalks of grapes left after wine-making: used in making vinegar

Origin of rape

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

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

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