violence English · revision 3579

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290|origins=la violentus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈvaɪ.ə.ləns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|violence]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|violence]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) and directly [[der|la|violentia|t=vehemence, impetuosity]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|violentus|t=vehement, forcible]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) probably related to [[m|la|violāre|t=to treat with violence]].^(Etymonline) See [[violent]] and [[violate]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The use of physical force to inflict injury or damage: about 1290 in the OED^(OED 1989) and the late 13th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''To do violence to'' is from before 1300.^(OED 1989) “Vehemence, intensity”, as of a storm or of feelings, is by the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) and an instance of violent treatment from about 1375.^(OED 1989) The weakened sense “improper treatment, distortion”, as in ''to do violence to a text'', is from 1596^(OED 1989) or the 1590s.^(Etymonline) Middle English once used it of physical force exercised for good, as noble strength (''manli-violence'', early 15th century).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – physical force to injure.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – ''to do violence to''.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – vehemence, intensity.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1596 – distortion of meaning.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Physical force used to hurt, damage or kill.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An instance of violent behaviour.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Great force or intensity, as of a storm or feeling.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Abusive or unjust use of power.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Distortion of meaning or intent: ''to do violence to the text''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[antiviolence]]

+ * [[counterviolence]]

+ * [[self-violence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[violent]]

+ * [[violate]]

+ * [[violation]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}