violence

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈvaɪ.ə.ləns/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English violence,^[2] borrowed from Old French violence,^[3][4] and directly from Latin violentia (“vehemence, impetuosity”),^[3][2] from violentus (“vehement, forcible”),^[3][2] probably related to violāre (“to treat with violence”).^[3] See violent and violate.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The use of physical force to inflict injury or damage: about 1290 in the OED^[5] and the late 13th century in Etymonline.^[3]

Semantic evolution

To do violence to is from before 1300.^[5] “Vehemence, intensity”, as of a storm or of feelings, is by the late 14th century,^[3] and an instance of violent treatment from about 1375.^[5] The weakened sense “improper treatment, distortion”, as in to do violence to a text, is from 1596^[5] or the 1590s.^[3] Middle English once used it of physical force exercised for good, as noble strength (manli-violence, early 15th century).^[3]

Timeline

• c. 1290 – physical force to injure.^[5]
• before 1300 – to do violence to.^[5]
• late 14th century – vehemence, intensity.^[3]
• 1596 – distortion of meaning.^[5]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. Physical force used to hurt, damage or kill.
2. An instance of violent behaviour.
3. Great force or intensity, as of a storm or feeling.
4. Abusive or unjust use of power.
5. Distortion of meaning or intent: to do violence to the text.

Word family

• antiviolence
• counterviolence
• self-violence

Related words

• violent
• violate
• violation

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press