Violate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Violates; p. pr. & vb. n. Violating.]
Etymology: [L. violatus, p. p. of violare to violate, fr. vis strength, force. See Violent.]
1. To treat in a violent manner; to abuse. His wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his daughters with rape. Milton.
2. To do violence to, as to anything that should be held sacred or respected; to profane; to desecrate; to break forcibly; to trench upon; to infringe. Violated vows 'Twixt the souls of friend and friend. Shak. Oft have they violated The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts. Milton.
3. To disturb; to interrupt. "Employed, it seems, to violate sleep." Milton.
4. To commit rape on; to ravish; to outrage.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To injure; disturb; interrupt; infringe; transgress; profane; deflour; debauch; dishonor.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for violate; he lists it under abuse.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.