rapine
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of rapine
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin rapīna robbery, pillage. See rape 1, -ine 2
Explanation
Use the noun rapine when you're talking about the deliberate destruction of a town or country during war, especially when it involves theft. Unfortunately, rapine is a part of most warfare — invading troops destroying buildings and homes as they advance, taking whatever they choose. It's more commonly called plunder or pillage, with rapine being used most often in a literary context. The Latin root is rapina, "act of robbery," which in turn comes from rapere, "seize" or "carry off."
Vocabulary lists containing rapine
"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 1–7
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Paradise Lost
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Rickett's motive is interpreted by the less credulous as a desire to save Ethiopia, and incidentally his concession, from Italian rapine by putting new hope into the elements opposed to invasion.
From Time Magazine Archive
He was far removed from the established neoclassical Parisian academicians, whose plump-fleshed vignettes of rapine, bustle, moments of battle and historical panoramas were the fine art of the day.
From Time Magazine Archive
There were scarcely found for the functions of monatti and apparitori any, but those over whom the attraction of rapine and licence had more sway than dread of the contagion.
From The Betrothed From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni by Manzoni, Alessandro
If rapine be abolished, one of the encouragements to war is taken away; and peace, therefore, more likely to continue and be lasting.
From The Life of Benjamin Franklin Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes by Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Chief of an army that he had made irresistible, not by honour but by glory, and master of wealth by rapine, Bonaparte imposed his will upon the Directory, which he provided with funds.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7 "Fox, George" to "France" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
