a long humorous poem (1712) by Alexander Pope , about a man who cuts off a small piece of a woman’s hair (= a lock). Pope describes this rather unimportant act in grand and elegant language, which gives the poem its humour.
RAPE OF THE LOCK
Meaning of RAPE OF THE LOCK in English
Oxford guide to British and American culture English vocabulary. Руководство по британской и американской культуре, Оксфордский английский словарь. 2005