/ 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 .