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rape
1[ reyp ]
/ reɪp /
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noun
verb (used with object), raped, rap·ing.
verb (used without object), raped, rap·ing.
to commit rape.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of rape
1First 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, adjectiverap·ist, rap·er, nounWords nearby rape
rapacity, Rapacki, Rapacki Plan, Rapallo, Rapa Nui, rape, rape culture, rapeseed, rapeseed oil, rap full, rap group
Other definitions for rape (2 of 3)
Origin of rape
2First 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 ]
/ reɪp /
noun
the residue of grapes, after the juice has been extracted, used as a filter in making vinegar.
Origin of rape
3First 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
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 willSee also statutory rape
the act of despoiling a country in warfare; rapine
any violation or abusethe rape of justice
archaic abductionthe rape of the Sabine women
verb (mainly tr)
Word Origin for 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
Word Origin for 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
Word Origin for rape
C17: from French râpe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German raspōn to scrape together
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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