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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

rape

RAYP
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Rape (noun) means the crime of forcing sexual intercourse or another sexual act on someone without their consent. Example: “The trial ended in a conviction for rape.”

noun
1
The crime of forcing sexual intercourse or another sexual act on someone without their consent.
"The trial ended in a conviction for rape."
"Support services exist for survivors of rape."
2
Rapeseed, a bright yellow-flowered crop grown for its oil.
"Fields of rape turned the countryside bright yellow in spring."
"Rape oil is pressed from the seeds of the plant."
"The farmer sowed rape in autumn so the crop would flower the following spring."
verb
1
To force sexual intercourse or another sexual act on someone without their consent.
"He was found guilty of having raped his victim."
"The charges alleged that he had raped her at knifepoint."

How to use rape

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA serious crime of sexual violence; separately, the older agricultural sense means rapeseed, the yellow-flowering oil crop.

When to use it

This is a serious legal and clinical term, not used casually; when speaking about the crop, "rapeseed" is now much more common than the bare word "rape" to avoid confusion.

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Word forms

Plural
rapes
Third person singular
rapes
Past tense
raped
Comparative
more rape
Superlative
most rape

Etymology

Came from Middle English rapen, rappen (“to abduct; ravish; seduce; rape; seize; snatch; carry off; transport”), probably from the Latin verb rapiō, possibly by way of or influenced by the Anglo-Norman noun rap, rape (compare also ravish). Compare also Swedish rappa (“to snatch, seize, carry off”), Low German rapen (“to snatch, seize”) and Dutch rapen (“to pick up, gather, collect”), though the relationship to these Germanic forms is not clear. It is cognate with Lithuanian reikėti (“to be in need”); compare also rap (“seize, snatch”). Some senses may further come from Etymology 3, an Old Norse word.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

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sexual assault sexual violence sexual abuse assault despoil dishonour spoil outrage ravish dishonor plunder violate

Related words

round attack prize shame battery celebrate anger shock

Rhymes for rape

ape jape tape gape nape cape agape grape shape drape Snape escape
See all rhymes for rape →

Frequently asked questions

What does consent mean in this context?
Consent is a clear, freely given, informed agreement to a specific act, and it can be withdrawn at any time. Its absence is what defines the crime. A person who is asleep, unconscious, heavily intoxicated, threatened, or below the legal age cannot give valid consent, regardless of whether they physically resisted.
Is rape a serious crime?
Yes. Nearly every legal system treats it as one of the gravest offences, comparable to other major violent crimes, and it can carry lengthy imprisonment. It is prosecuted by the state, not merely as a private dispute, and it causes lasting physical and psychological harm to those affected.
What is the meaning of rape?
"rape" (noun) means the crime of forcing sexual intercourse or another sexual act on someone without their consent.
What is another word for rape?
Other words for "rape" include sexual assault, sexual violence, sexual abuse, abuse, constuprate, defile.

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