n. 1. a. The crime of using force or the threat of force to compel a person to submit to sexual intercourse. b. The crime of using force or threat of force to compel a person to submit to some other sexual penetration. c. Other unlawful sexual intercourse or penetration, as with an unconscious person or person below the age of or incapable of consent. d. An instance of any of these crimes. 2. The act of seizing and carrying off by force; abduction: the rape of Europa by Zeus. 3. The act of pillaging or plundering: the rape of the city by the invaders. 4. Abusive or improper treatment; spoiling or abuse: the rape of the land by polluters. tr.v. raped, rap·ing, rapes 1. To use force or threat of force to compel (another person) to submit to sexual intercourse or other sexual penetration. 2. To seize and carry off by force. 3. To plunder or pillage. 4. To treat improperly; abuse or spoil. [Middle English, from rapen, to rape, from Old French raper, to abduct, from Latin rapere, to seize; see rep- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] raper n. |
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