VI'OLATE, verb transitive [Latin violo.]

1. To injure; to hurt; to interrupt; to disturb; as, to violate sleep.

Kindness for man, and pity for his fate, may mix with bliss and yet not violate

2. To break; to infringe; to transgress; as, to violate the laws of the state, or the rules of good breeding; to violate the divine commands; to violate one's vows or promises. Promises and commands may be violated negatively, by non-observance.

3. To injure; to do violence to.

Forbid to violate the sacred fruit.

4. To treat with irreverence; to profane; as, to violate the sanctity of a holy place.

5. To ravish; to compress by force.