¹rape

noun \ˈrāp\

Definition of RAPE

: an Old World herb (Brassica napus) of the mustard family grown as a forage crop and for its seeds which yield rapeseed oil and are a bird food — compare canola

Origin of RAPE

Middle English, from Latin rapa, rapum turnip, rape; akin to Old High German rāba turnip, rape, Lithuanian ropė

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with RAPE

ape, cape, chape, crape, crepe, drape, gape, grape, jape, nape, scape, scrape, shape, tape

²rape

verb

: to force (someone) to have sex with you by using violence or the threat of violence

rapedrap·ing

Full Definition of RAPE

transitive verb

a archaic : to seize and take away by force

b : despoil

: to commit rape on

— rap·er noun

— rap·ist \ˈrā-pist\ noun

See rape defined for English-language learners

Origin of RAPE

Middle English, from Latin rapere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RAPE

Synonyms: assault, force, outrage, ravish, violate

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

³rape

noun

Definition of RAPE

: an act or instance of robbing or despoiling or carrying away a person by force

: unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent — compare sexual assault, statutory rape

: an outrageous violation