I. ˈvī-ə-ˌlāt transitive verb
( -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 -ˌlā-tiv adjective
• vi·o·la·tor -ˌlā-tər noun
II. ˈvī-ə-lət adjective
Date: 15th century
archaic : subjected to violation