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 2
3 : 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