from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ravish \Rav"ish\ (r[a^]v"[i^]sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ravished}
(-[i^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ravishing}.] [OE. ravissen, F.
ravir, fr. L. rapere to snatch or tear away, to ravish. See
{Rapacious}, {Rapid}, and {-ish}.]
1. To seize and carry away by violence; to snatch by force.
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These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin
Will quicken, and accuse thee. --Shak.
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This hand shall ravish thy pretended right.
--Dryden.
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2. To transport with joy or delight; to delight to ecstasy.
"Ravished . . . for the joy." --Chaucer.
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Thou hast ravished my heart. --Cant. iv. 9.
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3. To have carnal knowledge of (a woman) by force, and
against her consent; to rape. --Shak.
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Syn: To transport; entrance; enrapture; delight; violate;
deflower; force.
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