v.
Pronunciation: ' v ī - ə - ˌ l ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -lat · ed ; -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 \ - ˌ l ā -tiv \ adjective
– vi · o · la · tor \ - ˌ l ā -t ə r \ noun