rapine Meaning, Definition & Usage

Rap"ine noun

Etymology

F. rapine; cf. Pr. & It. rapina; all fr. L. rapina, fr. rapere to seize and carry off by force. See Rapid, and cf. Raven rapine.

Definitions

1. The act of plundering; the seizing and carrying away of things by force; spoliation; pillage; plunder.

   Men who were impelled to war quite as much by the desire of rapine as by the desire of glory. Macaulay.

2. Ravishment; rape. Obs. Shak.

Rap"ine transitive verb

Definitions

1. To plunder. Sir G. Buck.