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violation

[vahy-uh-ley-shuh n]
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noun
  1. the act of violating.
  2. the state of being violated.
  3. a breach, infringement, or transgression, as of a law, rule, promise, etc.: He was fined for a traffic violation.
  4. desecration; profanation: the violation of a cemetery.
  5. sexual molestation, especially rape.
  6. a distortion of meaning or fact.
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Origin of violation

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin violātiōn- (stem of violātiō), equivalent to violāt(us) (see violate) + -iōn- -ion
Related formsvi·o·la·tion·al, adjectivenon·vi·o·la·tion, nounpre·vi·o·la·tion, nounre·vi·o·la·tion, noun

Synonym study

3. See breach.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for violation

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Violation of parole—he left the state without notifying his parole officer.

    By Proxy

    Gordon Randall Garrett

  • Violation of this rule would be punished by the excommunication of the family.

  • Violation of my plighted word—the downfall of her hopes were nothing!

    Alone

    Marion Harland

  • Violation of this law was made a high misdemeanor and punished accordingly.

    The Iron Heel

    Jack London

  • Violation of the edict meant that trespassers ran the risk of sudden decease under the judgment of the Company's servants.

Word Origin and History for violation

n.

early 15c., from Latin violationem (nominative violatio) "an injury, irreverence," from past participle stem of violare "to violate, treat with violence, outrage, dishonor," perhaps related to vis "violence, strength."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper