n. [ F. viole; cf. Pr. viola, viula, Sp., Pg., & It. viola, LL. vitula; of uncertain origin; perhaps from L. vitulari to celebrate a festival, keep holiday, be joyful, perhaps originally, to sacrifice a calf (vitulus; cf. Veal). Cf. Fiddle, Vielle, 2d Viola, Violin. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Mus.) A stringed musical instrument formerly in use, of the same form as the violin, but larger, and having six strings, to be struck with a bow, and the neck furnished with frets for stopping the strings. [ 1913 Webster ]

Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
Of lute, or viol still, more apt for mournful things. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is now applied as a general term to designate instruments of the violin kind, as tenor viol, bass viol, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A large rope sometimes used in weighing anchor. [ Written also voyal, and voyal. ] Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., a violet. See Violet. ] (Bot.) A genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all kinds of violets. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ It. See Viol. ] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖
Viola da braccio [ It., viol for the arm ], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the alto. -- ‖
Viola da gamba [ It., viol for the leg ], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. -- ‖
Viola da spalla [ It., viol for the shoulder ], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. -- ‖
Viola di amore [ It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour ], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. violabilis: cf. F. violable. See Violate. ] Capable of being violated, broken, or injured. -- Vi"o*la*bly, adv. [1913 Webster]

a. [ L. violaceus, fr. viola a violet. ] 1. Resembling violets in color; bluish purple. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants, of which the violet is the type. It contains about twenty genera and two hundred and fifty species. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Violet + aniline. ] (Chem.) A dyestuff of the induline group, made from aniline, and used as a substitute for indigo in dyeing wool and silk a violet-blue or a gray-blue color. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Violuric. ] (Chem.) A complex nitrogenous substance, produced as a yellow crystalline substance, and regarded as a complex derivative of barbituric acid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A yellow crystalline glucoside obtained from the pansy (Viola tricolor), and decomposing into glucose and quercitrin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Violescent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Violates p. pr. & vb. n. Violating. ] [ L. violatus, p. p. of violare to violate, fr. vis strength, force. See Violent. ] 1. To treat in a violent manner; to abuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

His wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his daughters with rape. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Violated vows
'Twixt the souls of friend and friend. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Oft have they violated
The temple, oft the law, with foul affronts. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To disturb; to interrupt. “Employed, it seems, to violate sleep.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To commit rape on; to ravish; to outrage. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To injure; disturb; interrupt; infringe; transgress; profane; deflour; debauch; dishonor. [ 1913 Webster ]