VIOLATE


Meaning of VIOLATE in English

/ ˈvaɪəleɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]

1.

( formal ) to go against or refuse to obey a law, an agreement, etc.

SYN flout :

to violate international law

2.

( formal ) to disturb or not respect sb's peace, privacy , etc. :

She accused the press photographers of violating her privacy.

3.

to damage or destroy a holy or special place

SYN desecrate :

to violate a grave

4.

( literary or old-fashioned ) to force sb to have sex

SYN rape

►  vio·la·tion / ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]:

They were in open violation of the treaty.

gross violations of human rights

►  vio·la·tor noun

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WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English : from Latin violat- treated violently, from the verb violare .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.