Rape
/reɪp/
Meaning & Definition
noun
The crime of forcing someone to engage in sexual intercourse against their will.
She bravely spoke out about her experience of rape.
An act or instance of this crime.
The statistics on the rates of rape in the country are alarming.
A form of violent or abusive treatment; violation.
The invasion was described as a rape of the land and its culture.
verb
To force someone to have sexual intercourse against their will.
He was charged with raping a young woman in the park.
To seize and carry off by force; to plunder.
The army raped the village, leaving destruction in its wake.
Etymology
From Middle English 'rapen', from Old French 'raper', from Latin 'rapere' meaning 'to seize, carry off'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
date rape
Sexual assault occurring during a date, where consent is not obtained.
rape culture
A culture in which sexual violence is normalized and excused.
marital rape
Non-consensual sex where the perpetrator is an intimate partner or spouse.
Related Words
assault
An act of physical violence or a threat of such violence.
coercion
The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
consent
Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
Slang Meanings
To dominate or control someone completely.
He acted as if he would rape the competition.
To steal or take something forcefully.
They raped the village of all its resources.