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violence

 - 3 dictionary results

vi⋅o⋅lence

  [vahy-uh-luhns]
Use violence in a Sentence
–noun
1. swift and intense force: the violence of a storm.
2. rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment: to die by violence.
3. an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws: to take over a government by violence.
4. a violent act or proceeding.
5. rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language: the violence of his hatred.
6. damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration: to do editorial violence to a text.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, OF < L violentia; see violent, -ence

Synonyms:
1. might, power, impact, fury.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vi·o·lence   (vī'ə-ləns)   
n.  

  1. Physical force exerted for the purpose of violating, damaging, or abusing: crimes of violence.

  2. The act or an instance of violent action or behavior.

  3. Intensity or severity, as in natural phenomena; untamed force: the violence of a tornado.

  4. Abusive or unjust exercise of power.

  5. Abuse or injury to meaning, content, or intent: do violence to a text.

  6. Vehemence of feeling or expression; fervor.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

violence 
c.1290, "physical force used to inflict injury or damage," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. violence, from L. violentia "vehemence, impetuosity," from violentus "vehement, forcible," probably related to violare (see violate). Weakened sense of "improper treatment" is attested from 1596. Violent is attested from c.1340. In M.E. the word also was applied in ref. to heat, sunlight, smoke, etc., with the sense "having some quality so strongly as to produce a powerful effect."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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