Violent

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈvaɪ.ə.lənt/

Definitions

1. Characterized by intense physical force, aggression, or destructive action that causes or intends to cause harm or damage
2. Exhibiting or involving a severe degree of aggression, force, or harmful behavior that may lead to injury or destruction
3. Marked by extreme physical aggression or strong force that results in significant injury or damage

Etymology: The most striking thing about "violent" is that English once had a perfectly good native word for the same idea and let it go. Old English "stræc" meant something close to "strong" or "vigorous," but Middle English speakers borrowed "violent" from Old French instead, and the borrowed word won out. The Old French form came from Latin "violentus," which was built on "vis," meaning "strength" or "force." That same root gives English words such as "vigour" and "vim" through other routes, so "violent" is a close relative of ideas about power and energy rather than of harm. The Latin sense was therefore about force as such, not about damage. A "violentus" thing was forceful or impetuous, and the modern sense of injury and destruction grew out of that core of strength applied without restraint. The Latin root is also the source of the verb "violate," which shows the same idea of force overriding what should be respected.

Synonyms: aggressive, ferocious, savage

Antonyms: gentle, calm, peaceful