n. [ F., fr. L. violentia. See Violent. ] 1. The quality or state of being violent; highly excited action, whether physical or moral; vehemence; impetuosity; force. [ 1913 Webster ] That seal You ask with such a violence, the king, Mine and your master, with his own hand gave me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] All the elements At least had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn With the violence of this conflict. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Injury done to that which is entitled to respect, reverence, or observance; profanation; infringement; unjust force; outrage; assault. [ 1913 Webster ] Do violence to do man. Luke iii. 14. [ 1913 Webster ] We can not, without offering violence to all records, divine and human, deny an universal deluge. T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ] Looking down, he saw The whole earth filled with violence. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Ravishment; rape; constupration. [ 1913 Webster ] To do violence on, to attack; to murder. “She . . . did violence on herself.” Shak. -- To do violence to, to outrage; to injure; as, he does violence to his own opinions. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Vehemence; outrage; fierceness; eagerness; violation; infraction; infringement; transgression; oppression. [ 1913 Webster ] |