Definition

Noun: 1. The act of seizing and carrying away by force; abduction. This meaning, now archaic, refers to the forceful taking of a person or property. 2. The crime of forcing someone, especially a woman, to submit to sexual intercourse against their will; rape. This is a formal and legal term for the act. 3. A state of intense delight, enchantment, or ecstasy; the act of enchanting. This meaning describes an overwhelming feeling of joy or wonder, as if one's senses are captivated.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Meaning 2: Crime):
  • The novel depicted the ravishment of the character as a central tragedy.
  • In historical legal texts, the term "ravishment" was used to describe the crime.
• Noun (Meaning 3: Enchantment):
  • She listened to the symphony with complete ravishment.
  • The ravishment of the sunset over the mountains left them speechless.

Advanced Usage

• Literary/Archaic Use: The word is often found in older literary or legal contexts. In modern usage for the criminal act, "rape" or "sexual assault" are more common terms.
• Figurative Use: The third meaning is frequently used in a figurative sense to describe being captivated by beauty, art, or experience.
  • The ravishment of the senses by the tropical garden was unforgettable.

Variants and Related Words

• Ravish (verb):
  • To seize and carry away by force.
  • To rape.
  • To fill with strong emotion, especially joy; to enchant.
• Ravishing (adjective): Causing great delight or pleasure; enchanting (e.g., ).
• Ravisher (noun): One who commits ravishment.

Synonyms

• For the crime: Rape, violation, sexual assault.
• For the feeling: Ecstasy, rapture, transport, enchantment, delight.

Idioms and Phrases

• To be in a state of ravishment: To be completely enchanted or captivated.
  • The audience was in a state of ravishment throughout the pianist's performance.

Noun

1. the crime of forcing a woman to submit to sexual intercourse against her will
2. a feeling of delight at being filled with wonder and enchantment