Main Entry:

vi·o·lent

Pronunciation:

\-lənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin violentus; akin to Latin vis strength — more at vim

Date:

14th century

1: marked by extreme force or sudden intense activity <a violent attack>2 a: notably furious or vehement <a violent denunciation> b: extreme, intense <violent pain> <violent colors>3: caused by force : not natural <a violent death>4 a: emotionally agitated to the point of loss of self-control <became violent after an insult> b: prone to commit acts of violence <violent prison inmates>

— vi·o·lent·ly adverb