n. & v.
—n.
1 a the act of forcing a woman to have sexual intercourse against her will. b forcible sodomy.
2 (often foll. by of) violent assault, forcible interference, violation.
3 poet. carrying off (esp. of a woman) by force.
4 an instance of rape.
—v.tr.
1 commit rape on (a person, usu. a woman).
2 violate, assault, pillage.
3 poet. take by force.
Etymology: ME f. AF rap(er) f. L rapere seize
2.
n. a plant, Brassica napus, grown as food for sheep and for its seed, from which oil is made. Also called COLZA, COLE.
Phrases and idioms:
rape-cake rape-seed pressed into a flat shape after the extraction of oil and used as manure or cattle food. rape-oil an oil made from rape-seed and used as a lubricant and in foodstuffs.
Etymology: ME f. L rapum, rapa turnip
3.
n. hist. (in the UK) any of the six ancient divisions of Sussex.
Etymology: OE, var. of rap ROPE, with ref. to the fencing-off of land
4.
n.
1 the refuse of grapes after wine-making, used in making vinegar.
2 a vessel used in vinegar-making.
Etymology: F racircpe, med.L raspa
Useful english dictionary. 2012.