Main Entry:

¹vi·o·late

Pronunciation:

\ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

vi·o·lat·ed; vi·o·lat·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin violatus, past participle of violare, from viol- (as in violentus violent)

Date:

15th century

1: break, disregard <violate the law>2: to do harm to the person or especially the chastity of ; specifically : rape 23: to fail to show proper respect for : profane <violate a shrine>4: interrupt, disturb <violate the peace of a spring evening — Nancy Larter>

— vi·o·la·tive \-ˌlā-tiv\ adjective

— vi·o·la·tor \-ˌlā-tər\ noun