rape

Pronunciation: /ˈɹeɪ̯p/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun Eurasian plant cultivated for its seed and as a forage crop
  2. noun the act of despoiling a country in warfare
  3. noun the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will

Etymology

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

In classic literature

Synonyms

colza, Brassica napus

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
mustard

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