rape
rape — verb
1. to force a person to have sex with you against their will, by using your physica
to force a person to have sex with you against their will, by using your physical strength or by making them afraid that you will hurt them
A former soldier was found guilty of raping a tourist in the park.
passive voice: be found guilty of raping
Detectives arrested a man suspected of raping three women over the course of a year.
active: suspect of raping [number] people over [time]
More survivors of rape are now coming forward to report the crime.
The prosecutor showed that the accused had threatened the victim before raping her.
New laws make it easier for people who have been raped to give evidence in court.
- sexually assault
broader legal term covering all unwanted sexual contact, not limited to intercourse
- violate
more formal and literary; can also mean to break a rule or agreement
文法句型
rape + person
be raped by + person
用法筆記
In legal and journalistic contexts, the broader term sexual assault (性侵害) is often preferred because it covers a wider range of unwanted sexual contact. Rape specifically refers to forced sexual intercourse. The verb is transitive and always takes a direct object — you rape a person, not 'with' a person.
常見錯誤
2. to steal or take everything valuable from a place or area, especially during a w
to steal or take everything valuable from a place or area, especially during a war, leaving it ruined
The invading army raped the city of all its treasures and burned the temples.
pattern: rape + place + of + possessions
Historical accounts describe how the conquerors raped the countryside for supplies.
The warlord's troops raped every village along the river, taking grain and cattle.
The old chronicle says the Vikings raped the monastery and carried off the gold.
文法句型
rape + place + of + possessions
用法筆記
This sense is now very rare in modern English except in historical writing. The use of rape to mean 'plunder' shares an origin with the sexual sense (from Latin rapere 'to seize'), but modern readers may find it confusing or offensive. In most contexts, plunder, loot, or pillage are preferred.
常見錯誤
rape — noun
1. the offence of making a person take part in a sexual act without their agreement
the offence of making a person take part in a sexual act without their agreement, typically by using physical strength, threats, or by acting when the person is unable to say no
Rape is treated as a serious crime in every legal system around the world.
uncountable: general reference to the crime
The number of reported rapes has risen as more survivors choose to speak out.
countable: reported rapes (individual instances)
Diego was charged with the rape of a minor and is now awaiting trial.
The documentary tells the story of a rape survivor who became an activist.
- sexual assault
broader legal term covering any unwanted sexual contact, not only intercourse
- sexual violence
umbrella term that includes rape, assault, harassment, and other forms of unwanted sexual behaviour
文法句型
[countable] a rape
[uncountable] rape
rape of + person
用法筆記
In Taiwan's legal system, the term 強制性交 (forced sexual intercourse) is used in the Criminal Code, while 性侵害 (sexual assault) is the broader category used by police and social services. In everyday speech, 強暴 and 性侵 are common.
常見錯誤
2. the severe damage or destruction of a natural area or environment, usually for f
the severe damage or destruction of a natural area or environment, usually for financial gain
The rape of the rainforest by logging companies has caused global concern.
pattern: the rape of [place] by [agent]
Local activists protested against the rape of the coastline by hotel developers.
The documentary exposes the rape of the ocean through overfishing and pollution.
The book examines the rape of the Arctic by oil drilling companies.
- destruction
neutral term without the metaphorical force or controversy
- devastation
emphasizes the total ruin of an area
- exploitation
focuses on the unfair use of resources for profit
文法句型
the rape of + [natural feature]
用法筆記
This is a metaphorical use of the word rape. It carries strong emotional weight and is used in environmental writing and protest language. Some readers may find the metaphor inappropriate because it compares damage to land with sexual violence.
3. a tall farm crop that produces golden blooms and is grown mainly for its seeds,
a tall farm crop that produces golden blooms and is grown mainly for its seeds, which can be pressed to obtain cooking oil, while the leftover parts are used as feed for animals — also called oilseed rape or rapeseed
Fields of bright yellow rape stretch across the English countryside in late spring.
uncountable: fields of rape
Farmers grow rape for the oil in its seeds, which is used in cooking and industry.
The price of rapeseed oil went up sharply after the summer drought damaged the crop.
Léa's grandfather has been growing rape on his farm in Normandy for forty years.
- oilseed rape
the fuller name of the plant; more precise in agricultural contexts
- rapeseed
refers specifically to the seeds or the plant grown for seed
- canola
the commercial name for the oil in North America and Australia; bred from rapeseed
文法句型
grow rape
fields of rape
rape oil/seed
用法筆記
This sense has no connection to the crime sense — the word comes from Latin rapum 'turnip', through a completely different root. In British English, the bright yellow fields are a common sight from spring to summer. In American English, canola is the more common term for the oil, though the plant is the same species.
4. the act of violently stealing or destroying property during a war or invasion, l
the act of violently stealing or destroying property during a war or invasion, leaving a place empty or ruined
The history book describes the complete rape of the province by the invading troops.
historical context: the rape of [place] by [army]
Museums across Europe display treasures taken during the rape of ancient cities.
The chronicler wrote about the rape of the monastery by the advancing army.
The rape of the town left every building burned and every family without shelter.
文法句型
the rape of + [place]
用法筆記
Like the verb plunder sense, this meaning is archaic and rarely used today outside of historical descriptions. Modern readers may misinterpret it because the sexual meaning is now dominant. The words plunder, pillage, or looting are clearer alternatives.