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vi·o·late

(vīə-lāt′)

tr.v. vi·o·lat·ed, vi·o·lat·ing, vi·o·lates

1. To disregard or act in a manner that does not conform to (a law or promise, for example).

2. To assault (a person) sexually.

3. To do harm to (property or qualities considered sacred); desecrate or defile.

4. To disturb rudely or improperly; interrupt: violated our privacy.

[Middle English violaten, from Latin violāre, violāt-, from vīs, vi-, force; see weiə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

vio·la′tive adj.

vio·la′tor n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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