vi·o·lence

[vahy-uh-luhns]
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; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin violentia; see violent, -ence

an·ti·vi·o·lence, adjective
coun·ter·vi·o·lence, noun
self-vi·o·lence, noun


1. might, power, impact, fury.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To violence
00:10
Violence is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
Collins
World English Dictionary
violence (ˈvaɪələns) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc
2.  powerful, untamed, or devastating force: the violence of the sea
3.  great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervour
4.  an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate
5.  do violence to
 a.  to inflict harm upon; damage or violate: they did violence to the prisoners
 b.  to distort or twist the sense or intention of: the reporters did violence to my speech
 
[C13: via Old French from Latin violentia impetuosity, from violentusviolent]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

violence
late 13c., "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 1590s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The violence and raw power of this storm are amazing to ponder.
Power and violence, a larger club or sharper sword, as if the ability to
  incinerate whole cities is an admirable pursuit.
Such things were done through persecution, violence, and a general environment
  of fear.
Disaffected rural youths are committing more violence.
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