Etymologically
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violence

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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
  • 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