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violently

 - 2 dictionary results

vi⋅o⋅lent

[vahy-uh-luhnt]
–adjective
1. acting with or characterized by uncontrolled, strong, rough force: a violent earthquake.
2. caused by injurious or destructive force: a violent death.
3. intense in force, effect, etc.; severe; extreme: violent pain; violent cold.
4. roughly or immoderately vehement or ardent: violent passions.
5. furious in impetuosity, energy, etc.: violent haste.
6. of, pertaining to, or constituting a distortion of meaning or fact.

Origin:
1300–50; ME < L violentus, equiv. to vi-, shortening (before a vowel) of base of vīs force, violence + -olentus, var. (after a vowel) of -ulentus -ulent


vi⋅o⋅lent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To violently
vi·o·lent   (vī'ə-lənt)   
adj.  
  1. Marked by, acting with, or resulting from great force: a violent attack.

  2. Having or showing great emotional force: violent dislike.

  3. Marked by intensity; extreme: violent pain; a violent squall. See Synonyms at intense.

  4. Caused by unexpected force or injury rather than by natural causes: a violent death.

  5. Tending to distort or injure meaning, phrasing, or intent.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin violentus, from vīs, vi-, force; see weiə- in Indo-European roots.]
vi'o·lent·ly adv.
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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