ˈravish, -vēsh, esp in pres part -vəsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English ravisshen, from Middle French raviss-, extended stem of ravir, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin rapire, alteration of Latin rapere to seize, rob, kidnap, ravish — more at rapid
transitive verb
1.
a. : to seize or carry away by violence : snatch by force
this hand shall ravish thy pretended right — John Dryden
b.
(1) : to remove from one place or state to another (as from earth to heaven) ; especially : to transport spiritually
(2) : to transport with emotion and especially with joy or delight
ravished by Rome's beauty
c.
(1) obsolete : to carry (a woman) away forcibly or unlawfully : abduct
(2) : to commit rape upon (a woman) : violate
2. : plunder , rob , despoil
3. obsolete
a. : to alter in state, belief, or other quality — used with from or to
b. : corrupt
intransitive verb
: to transport one with emotion