ravishn.
/ˈravɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈrævɪʃ/ rare.
The action of ravish v.; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > [noun] > instance of
rapt?a1425
trance1434
ravishing1435
ravishment1581
rapture1594
ravish1636
enravishment1661
Ananda1875
blissout1974
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > kidnapping or abduction > [noun] > specifically a woman > instance of
ravishment1473
ravish1636
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > loss of chastity > [noun] > defilement of chastity or woman > forcible > instance of
ravishment1473
rapec1529
ravish1920
gang-banging1949
1636 J. Winthrop Hist. New Eng. (1825) (modernized text) I. 184 [They] had builded their comfort of salvation upon unsound grounds, viz., some upon dreams and ravishes of spirit by fits.
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Dec. 827/2 They do not carry off and marry by ravish rich farmer's daughters now.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
ravishv.
/ˈravɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈrævɪʃ/α. Middle English bavysshest (2nd singular present indicative, transmission error), Middle English rauasche, Middle English rauash, Middle English rauassch, Middle English rauassh, Middle English raueisch, Middle English raueissh, Middle English rauesche, Middle English raueshe, Middle English rauessche, Middle English raueysch, Middle English rauich, Middle English rauische, Middle English rauissch, Middle English rauiyssh, Middle English rauych, Middle English rauyisch, Middle English rauysche, Middle English rauyssch, Middle English rauyssshed (past tense, transmission error), Middle English ravassh, Middle English raveisch, Middle English ravesch, Middle English ravessh, Middle English ravisch, Middle English ravische, Middle English ravissche, Middle English ravisshe, Middle English ravych, Middle English ravysch, Middle English ravysche, Middle English ravyssche, Middle English ravyssh, Middle English rawyssh, Middle English rayayschid (past participle, transmission error), Middle English rayuesch, Middle English rayuysch, Middle English revyssh, Middle English 1600s rauisch, Middle English 1600s ravesh, Middle English–1500s rauesshe, Middle English–1500s rauissh, Middle English–1500s rauisshe, Middle English–1500s rauysch, Middle English–1500s rauysh, Middle English–1500s rauyshe, Middle English–1500s rauyssh, Middle English–1500s rauysshe, Middle English–1500s ravissh, Middle English–1500s ravysh, Middle English–1500s ravysshe, Middle English–1600s rauish, Middle English–1600s rauishe, Middle English (in a late copy)–1600s ravishe, Middle English–1600s ravyshe, Middle English– ravish, late Middle English ranysshe (transmission error), late Middle English rauaȝt (past participle), late Middle English rauesche (past participle, perhaps transmission error), 1500s rauessh, 1500s raushe, 1500s rauyszsh, 1500s–1600s rauesh; Scottish pre-1700 rauisch, pre-1700 rauish, pre-1700 rauysche, pre-1700 raveisch, pre-1700 ravesh, pre-1700 ravisch, pre-1700 ravische, pre-1700 ravissh, pre-1700 raweish, pre-1700 rawish, pre-1700 reuisch, pre-1700 reveisch, pre-1700 revesh, pre-1700 revisch, pre-1700 revische, pre-1700 revish, pre-1700 revysch, pre-1700 rewisch, pre-1700 rewish, pre-1700 1700s– ravish; N.E.D. (1903) also records forms Middle English rauishe, Middle English rewych, 1500s rauyssche.
β. Middle English raiuist (past tense, northern), Middle English rauasid (past participle), Middle English raueisse, Middle English rauese, Middle English rauice, Middle English rauis (chiefly northern), Middle English rauise, Middle English rauisse, Middle English rauys, Middle English ravese, Middle English ravis, Middle English ravisse, Middle English ravys (chiefly northern), Middle English rawys (northern); Scottish pre-1700 raueis, pre-1700 rauis, pre-1700 rauys, pre-1700 raveis, pre-1700 raves, pre-1700 ravis, pre-1700 ravise, pre-1700 ravys, pre-1700 rawis, pre-1700 rawys, pre-1700 reaffeace, pre-1700 reawies, pre-1700 reffas, pre-1700 reffis, pre-1700 refvis, pre-1700 reueis, pre-1700 reues, pre-1700 reuis, pre-1700 reuiss, pre-1700 reuys, pre-1700 revas, pre-1700 reveis, pre-1700 reves, pre-1700 revis, pre-1700 revise, pre-1700 revys, pre-1700 reweis, pre-1700 rewese, pre-1700 rewis, pre-1700 rewys.
1. † a. transitive. To drag off or carry away (a woman) by force or with violence (occasionally also implying subsequent rape). Also figurative, with death as subject. Obsolete.† c. transitive. In extended use: to spoil, corrupt (a thing). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > kidnapping or abduction > kidnap or abduct [verb (transitive)] > a woman
ravisha1325
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) v. 9 Þe king defendeth, þat non ne rauise, ne nime mid strenkþe of armes, dameisele biþinne age, mid hire wille ne aȝenes hire wille.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 171 Iupiter..rauisched [L. rapuit] Europa, Agenores douȝter.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 7049 (MED) Paris..raiuist [a1400 Gött. rauyscht] helayn.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 8 They rauisshed the fayr Ypodame out from alle the other ladyes.
a1500 Gesta Romanorum (Gloucester) (1971) 750 (MED) Yf a man delyuer a woman ffro hym þat Rauesche hir..he schulde wedde hir.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. iii. 33 It was there..Paris after he had rauished Helene, tooke of her the first frutes of his loue.
1605 Hist. Tryall Cheualry sig. G3v It was base Ferdinand..Rauisht my Katharine and conuayed her hence, Where I shall neuer more behold her face.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 23 Death..quencht the flame, and ravisht the young lady from him.
1767 R. Bentley Philodamus v. i. 53 What could violence itself do more, Than ravish from a father's arms his daughter, To violate her honour in your own?
b. transitive. To rape, violate (a woman). Occasionally intransitive. Now rare (somewhat archaic in later use).In most varieties of English, rape is now the commoner term.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > loss of chastity > deprive of chastity [verb (transitive)] > rape
to do (a) shamec1275
afforcec1330
beforcec1375
misusea1382
oppressa1382
enforcec1386
ravisha1387
forcea1400
betravaila1425
trespass1427
supprisea1450
violatec1450
viole?c1450
stuprate?1526
devour1530
stupre1548
constuprate1550
rape1574
suppress1590
harry1591
constrain1594
abripe1623
obstuprate1658
spoil1678
to rip off1967
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 301 (MED) Me redeþ þat Iupiter ravesched [L. rapuisse] Io and gat Epaphus.
1436 Rolls of Parl. VI. 498/1 Ye said William felonousely and flesshly knewe and ravysshed ye said Isabell.
a1500 Gesta Romanorum (Gloucester) (1971) 732 (MED) Þer comys a lord vn-to me and with his fayr wordes deseryvyd me & myn maydenhode Raueschede me.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxv The women and maides that were fled thither for feare, they rauissh euery one [L. constuprant].
1595 H. Chettle Piers Plainnes Prentiship sig. Cv In this Wood Tereus rauisht and wrongd Philomele.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xi. 397 Defiling virgins, or ravishing them rather, for consent onely defiles.
1690 T. Shadwell Amorous Bigotte iii. i. 23 He is a wicked wretch, and if you had not come, wou'd have ravisht me.
1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 55 The Locis Turpitudinis, as it is called, where St. Agnes was in danger of being ravished by two soldiers.
1834 J. Forbes et al. Cycl. Pract. Med. III. 583/1 Ravishing by force any woman-child..or any other woman.
1849 J. G. Bruff Jrnl. 22 July in Gold Rush (1944) I. i. 51 One of them was suspected of having ravished an emigrant's wife.
1939 G. B. Shaw Geneva iii. 70 Am I to allow him to kill me and ravish my wife and daughters?
1981 Sunday Times 8 Mar. (Colour Suppl.) 104 He ravished and pillaged..left sons to hate him, women to fight over his wealth.
2002 This Day (Nigeria) (Nexis) 2 July There is no doubt..that the Appellant ravished his victim, a girl of tender age of 5 years by forcefully having carnal knowledge of her.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)]
mareOE
shendOE
hinderc1000
amarOE
awemc1275
noyc1300
touchc1300
bleche1340
blemisha1375
spill1377
misdoa1387
grieve1390
damagea1400
despoil?a1400
matea1400
snapea1400
mankc1400
overthrowa1425
tamec1430
undermine1430
blunder1440
depaira1460
adommage?1473
endamage1477
prejudicec1487
fulyie1488
martyra1500
dyscrase?1504
corrupt1526
mangle1534
danger1538
destroy1542
spoil1563
ruinate1564
ruin1567
wrake1570
injury1579
bane1587
massacre1589
ravish1594
wrong1595
rifle1604
tainta1616
mutilea1618
to do violence toa1625
flaw1665
stun1676
quail1682
maul1694
moil1698
damnify1712
margullie1721
maul1782
buga1790
mux1806
queer1818
batter1840
puckeroo1840
rim-rack1841
pretty1868
garbage1899
savage1899
to do in1905
strafe1915
mash1924
blow1943
nuke1967
mung1969
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)] > do harm or injury to > affect detrimentally
atterc885
hurtc1200
marc1225
appair1297
impair1297
spilla1300
emblemishc1384
endull1395
blemishc1430
depaira1460
depravea1533
deform1533
envenom1533
vitiate1534
quail1551
impeach1563
subvert1565
craze1573
taint1573
spoil1578
endamage1579
qualify1584
stain1584
crack1590
ravish1594
interess1598
invitiate1598
corrupt1602
venom1621
depauperate1623
detriment1623
flaw1623
embase1625
ungold1637
murder1644
refract1646
depress1647
addle1652
sweal1655
butcher1659
shade1813
mess1823
puckeroo1840
untone1861
blue1880
queer1884
dick1972
forgar-
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. F3v O hatefull, vaporous, and foggy night..With rotten damps rauish the morning aire.
1613 J. Marston & W. Barksted Insatiate Countesse iv. i. sig. I Imagine that she had a Lord, Iealous, the Aire should rauish her chaste lookes.
1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies ii. i. 29 Against her will fair Julia to possess, Is not t'enjoy but Ravish Happiness.
1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 332 May no foes ravish thee [sc. Liberty], and no false friend Betray thee, while professing to defend.
2. † a. transitive. To plunder, rob, steal from (a place, building, race or class of people, etc.); to devastate, lay waste to (a country). Also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devastate or lay waste (a place, etc.)
harryc893
fordoc900
awesteeOE
westeeOE
losec950
harrowc1000
destroyc1230
wastec1275
ravishc1325
to lie waste1338
exilea1382
to-wastea1382
unronea1400
desolatea1425
vast1434
fruster?a1513
to lay waste1535
wipe1535
devast1537
depopulate1548
populate1552
forwaste1563
ruinate1564
havoc1575
scourge1576
dispopulate1588
destitute1593
ravage1602
harassa1618
devastate1638
execute1679
to make stroy of1682
to lay in ashes1711
untown1783
hell-rake1830
uncity1850
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > sacking, raiding, or looting > sack, raid, or loot [verb (transitive)]
reaveOE
harrowc1000
ravishc1325
spoil1382
forayc1400
forage1417
riflea1425
distrussc1430
riotc1440
detruss1475
sacka1547
havoc1575
sackage1585
pillagea1593
ravage1602
yravish1609
boot-hale1610
booty-hale1610
plunder1632
forage1642
rape1673
prig1819
loot1845
raid1875
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 4001 Þou..Rauissest [v.r. Rauysest; a1400 Trin. Cambr. Rauicest] france & oþer londes.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xii. 29 He shal bynde the stronge man, and than he shal rauyshe [a1425 L.V. spuyle; L. diripiet] his hous.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Isa. xlii. 22 Thilke puple was rauyschid [a1382 E.V. drawen awei; v.r. to-broken; L. direptus] and wastid.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) ix. 32 He waites that he rauysch the pore.
c1619 F. Bacon Speech War with Spain in Rem. (1734) 226 We ravished a principal City of wealth and strength.
1674 in W. Cramond Rec. Elgin (1903) I. 319 The baillies..to revise the toune..for aill and aquavytie.
b. transitive. To rob, deprive (a person or place, etc.) of something. Now rare (chiefly archaic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of) > deprive forcibly
reaveOE
reavec1230
despoilc1300
ravishc1384
violatea1657
wrench1786
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > rob [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person
ripeOE
robc1225
ravishc1384
to-reave1393
to shake (a person) out ofc1412
to purge a person's purse1528
cashiera1616
to rob someone blind1897
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John x. 28 My scheppe heeren my vois..And I ȝyue to hem euerelasting lyf, and thei schulen not perische in to with outen ende, and ony man schal not rauysche [L. rapiet] hem of myn hond.
c1400 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. iv. 36 He rauisshide [ C rauysede; v.r. i-raueissed] rose, reynaldis loue, And margerete of hire maydenhed.
?c1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr. Ii.3.21) (1886) iv. pr. v. 22 Shrewes rauysshen medes of vertu and ben in honours and in gret estatis.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxixv I am not led rashely or like one that were rauished of his wittes.
1577 J. Grange Garden in Golden Aphroditis sig. Q Though it was most false, and blased in despight, Yet it hir rauisht had of all hir fore delight.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. viii. 38 Assailing the brothers..[he] rauisht them both of their kingdomes.
1650 J. Reynolds Flower of Fidelitie vii. 122 Rather pierce the Citadel of my Mayden breast with thy Rapier, then ravish me of that which I esteeme far more precious then my life.
1686 F. Spence tr. A. Varillas Ἀνεκδοτα Ἑτερουιακα 240 As he was..more methodick than Blondus, he ravish'd him of his reputation.
1765 W. Stevenson Orig. Poems II. 124 Sweet bird! that, ravish'd of his sight, His dirge had warbled day and night!
1775 E. Jerningham Fall of Mexico 30 This hapless coast Is ravish'd of those gifts your children boast!
a1803 Hughie Grame xiv, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1890) IV. vii. 13 They may ravish me o' my life, But they canna banish me fro Heaven hie.
1937 E. A. Custer No Royal Road 14 I laid in wait for the messenger and ravished him of his burden with dire threats of what would happen if he squealed.
1953 Time 24 Aug. 31/2 Buccaneer Henry Morgan, ravishing Panama of 400,000 pieces of eight in 1671.
3. † b. transitive. To carry, take, pull, or drag away or along (a thing); to remove by force. Also with down. Obsolete.† c. transitive. To draw (a person, the mind, etc.) forcibly into or to some condition, action, etc. Obsolete.In later use frequently with overtones of sense 4b.† d. transitive. In passive. Of a person: to be driven or carried away from a belief, state, etc. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To carry away, snatch, seize (a person), esp. by force; to drag (a person) away from a place or other person; to drag to or into a place. Also figurative. See also sense 1. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > kidnapping or abduction > kidnap or abduct [verb (transitive)]
reavec1175
ravishc1330
stealc1386
proloyne1439
rapec1450
abduce1537
rapt1571
spirit1657
kidnap1682
abduct1772
nobble1877
shanghai1919
snatch1932
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > cause to flow [verb (transitive)] > carry (away) by flowing
wash1362
ravisha1500
float1606
horse1698
swill1850
c1330 Sir Degare (Auch.) 887 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) 314 (MED) He was aboute wiȝ maistri For to rauisse me awai.
c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) vii. 2 (MED) Make me saufe..þat þe enemi ne rauis nouȝt my soule as a lion.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Job xxvii. 21 Brennyng wynd shal taken hym & don awei & as a whirlewind shal raueshen [L. rapiet] hym fro his place.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 7680 (MED) His reners he [sc. Saul] þeder send For to rauis dauid he wend.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 2222 (MED) Devels sal gadir obout hym þan To ravissche þe saul with þam away Tyl pyne of helle.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 174 (MED) The course of the ryuer So stronge and So styfe rane, that the knyght and his hors rauyshith, doune hym bare, and dreynte.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid viii. i. 49 In mynd..Nou heyr, nou there, revist in syndry partis.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxxvii. F A rauyshinge beast hath rauyshed Ioseph.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxiiijv Many men rauished & toste hither and thither with euery wynde of doctrine.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. i. 69 [They] by outragious force rauish these most deare infants..from..their fathers and mothers.
1605 B. Jonson Sejanus v. i. 725 Now, inhumanely rauish him to prison! View more context for this quotation
1624 F. Quarles Sions Elegies iv. 20 Heaven's Anoynted, Their hands have crusht, and ravisht from his Throne.
1647 R. Fanshawe tr. B. Guarini Pastor Fido i. iv. 32 The cruel torrent ravish'd him away.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. i. 35 The British are not so over-fond of St. Patrick, as to ravish him into their Country against his will, and the consent of Time.
1668 J. Howe Blessednesse of Righteous xix. 353 Thy no-desire of this blessed state quite dispirits thy Religion, utterly ravishes away its Soul.
1703 T. D'Urfey Old Mode & New iii. i. 41 A party of 'em have ravish'd away your Niece and Daughter from me, and carried them into the Parlor.
1799 H. Neuman tr. A. von Kotzebue Family Distress iii. iv. 40 Lament me as a husband whom death has ravished from you.
1854 M. E. Sumner Speech in Wks. (1895) III. 291 For the mother there is no assurance that her infant child will not be ravished from her breast.
1911 E. Mason French Mediaeval Romances from Lays of Marie de France vi. 76 The Bretons tell that the knight was ravished by his lady to an island, very dim and very fair, known as Avalon.
1927 W. Cather Death comes for Archbishop iv. i. 125 They set forth in the spring..taking with them slaves and concubines ravished from the Pecos people.
1992 C. Harvey Legacy of Love (BNC) 215 Jack, you will be the..very brave remarkable child who gets ravished away by the lion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > transference > [verb (transitive)] > convey or transport > off or away > forcibly
ravisha1382
to work away1602
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1969) Isa. xvii. 13 It shal ben raueshid [L. rapietur] as þe pouder of mounteynes fro þe face of þe wind.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 117v Aboute þe whiche axis al þe swiftnesse of þe firmament is I-rauyschid and meueþ.
?1460–4 R. Williamson in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 18 Þe gret fray..ravyched my wittys and mad me ful hevyly dysposyd.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. i. B These are the wayes of all soch as be couetous, that one wolde rauysh anothers life.
1620 J. Melton Astrologaster 65 His minde was rauished downe the swift torrent of an insolent vanity.
1698 J. Crowne Caligula iii. 24 Rivers he Ravishes, and turns their course.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > make (more) violent [verb (transitive)] > force or drive violently > into or out of an action or condition
ravisha1382
wrestc1440
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) Job xx. 2 My mynde in to dyuerse thingis is raueshid [a1425 L.V. rauyischid; L. rapitur].
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 13v Aungels..beþ..I-rauyschite to þe inmest contemplacioun of þe loue of god.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 23 Christes works..might rauish all men to haue them in wonderfull admiration.
1583 R. Greene Mamillia f. 32v The fame of her exquisit perfection by nature plentifully placed in her, hath rauished euen her enimies hearts to loue & like her.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. x. xli. 382 The Romanes were ravished and carried on end to the battaile, with anger, hope, and heate of conflict.
c1608 tr. F. de Belleforest Hist. Hamblet iii. sig. D3v Weeping most bitterly, hauing long time fixed her eyes vpon Hamlet, as beeing rauished into some great and deepe contemplation.
1653 J. Davies tr. C. Sorel Extravagant Shepherd 75 He that is ignorant of it, let him read it, he will be suddenly ravished into admiration.
1793 P. Bernard tr. J. Bernard On Excellence Christian Relig. iii. v. 253 Let us know the utility of them [sc. the parts of religion], and ravished into admiration at the goodness of our God, let us cry out with the Psalmist.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > attract, allure, or entice [verb (intransitive)] > entice or seduce > be enticed or seduced
ravishc1400
c1400 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. xi. 307 Arn none raþere yrauisshid [v.rr. Irauesched, raueshid, rauesched] fro þe riȝte beleue þanne arn þise grete clerkis.
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 45 (MED) In his slepe he was raueshid from his resonable wyttys.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 4424 (MED) Fra þe rote of riȝtwisnes rauyst ere ȝe clene.
1542 in Bannatyne Misc. (1827) I. 8 The Erll of Argyll..is ravisshide onelye from the opinioun of the rest be the cardinall [etc.]..becaus [etc.].
1596 T. Lodge Margarite of Amer. sig. I2v He that saw the heauen of these beauties, was rauished from his sences.
1623 W. Drummond Cypresse Groue in Flowres of Sion 65 If but once thou couldst bee gazed vpon by bodilie eyes, euery heart would bee inflamed with thy loue, and rauished from all seruile basenesse and earthly desires.
1680 tr. Eusebius Eccl. Hist. Socrates Scholasticus vi. vii, in Hist. Church (1683) 358/1 Being made Stewards of the Church by Theophilus, in the first place they were displeased, because being ravished from the Solitude, they had no further leisure to mind the Monastick Philosophy.
1758 H. Walpole Catal. Royal Authors (1759) I. 157 Ravished from all improvement and reflection at the age of seventeen.
4.
a. transitive. To remove (a person) from earth, esp. to heaven; to remove from sight. Also: to transport (a person) in spirit. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > transference > [verb (transitive)] > convey or transport > off or away
atbearOE
reavec1175
heavea1240
ravishc1330
reachc1330
outbeara1400
trussa1400
remove1459
withberec1500
rapt1571
rear1596
rap1599
to carry off1684
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [verb (transitive)] > convey to or place in
ravishc1330
to take upc1384
reavea1400
rap1599
ensphere1615
the world > the supernatural > deity > heaven > [verb (transitive)] > convey to or place in > in spirit or without bodily removal
ravishc1330
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) 8915 (MED) Virgine of his bodi he was, Whom seþþen þe holi Godes gras Rauist into þe þridde heuen.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. xii. 4 He was rauyschid [L. raptus est] into paradys and herde priuey wordes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 18483 (MED) We sal be rauist forth awai, Sal na ma[n] se us fra þat dai.
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 124 (MED) He is ravissht in to anoþer world, where he is a gretter lord þan he was here.
c1450 J. Lydgate Secrees (Sloane 2464) 97 He was Ravysshed, Contemplatyff of desir, Vp to the hevene lyk a dowe of ffyr.
1482 Monk of Evesham 36 Y was rauyshte in spirite as y laye in the chaptur hows.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. i. 50 Ganimedes reveist aboue the sky.
1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour l. 6076 in Wks. (1931) I Quhen Paull wes reuyst, in the spreit, Tyll the thrid Heuin.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie cxci. 1188/1 The burning of the fire then, was as a marke wherewith God sealed his lawe, as though hee had rauished the people, and shewed them that they were not anie more as vppon the earth beneath.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 56 They haue..naturall idiots, in high veneration; as men rauished in spirit, and taken from themselues, as it were, to the fellowship of Angels.
a1666 R. Fanshawe tr. A. Hurtado de Mendoza Querer por solo Querer (1670) ii. 48 Plac'd above what Man calls Bliss, And (into her self retir'd) By a heavenly Ecstasis Ravish'd, elevated, fir'd.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 144 For ever I am ravish'd from thy sight. View more context for this quotation
1715 J. Barker Exilius i. iv. 142 Thus ravish'd out of myself into a Heaven of Happiness, I pass'd the rest of the silent Night in a continual Meditation.
1743 H. Fielding Jonathan Wild iv. vii, in Misc. III. 331 A very thick Mist ravished her from our Eyes.
1762 C. Wesley Short Hymns II. 41 Bid me in thine image rise, Mounted on thy holy hill, Ravish'd thence to Paradise.
1885 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche viii. xii. 97 Ravished to hell by fierce Agesilas, Thou soughtest her on earth and couldst not find.
1992 M. D. Goulder in A. Denaux John & Synoptics i. 228 When it comes to the visions in which one is ravished to heaven, perhaps out of the body, he [sc. Paul] cannot compete.
b. transitive. To transport (a person, the mind, etc.) with the strength of some emotion; to fill with ecstasy, intense delight, or sensuous pleasure; to entrance, captivate, or enrapture.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > joy, gladness, or delight > rapture or ecstasy > transport with rapture or ecstasy [verb (transitive)]
ravishc1390
rap1509
extol1526
exalta1533
reave1556
rape1566
rapt?1577
enravish1596
trance1597
to carry out1599
ecstasy1631
translate1631
elevate1634
rapture1636
ecstatize1654
enrapture1740
ecstasiate1823
ecstasize1835
c1390 in C. Horstmann Minor Poems Vernon MS (1892) i. 151 (MED) For Ioye him þouȝte I-Rauessched neih.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. ii. 17 (MED) Hire arraye me rauysshed, suche ricchesse saw I neuere.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i The medecyns..sayd that..he was rauysshed by loue.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxliv. 538 She had suche ioye that of a great spase she coude speke no word, she was so rauysshyd.
1592 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) i. sig. E3v Doth not the learned Cosmographer..rauish vs oftentimes, and bryng in contempt the pleasures of our owne soyle.
1625 A. Garden Characters & Ess. 58 His Loue is set on Thinges vnseene, And ravished with Wares that are Divine.
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur ii. 44 Ambrosial Juices, sweet Nectarean Wine, Ravish'd their Tast.
1724 E. F. Haywood Lasselia 19 She listen'd to every Word he spoke..till she became quite ravish'd in Contemplation.
1776 G. Campbell Philos. of Rhetoric I. i. i. 30 Those great and noble images, which..quite ravish the soul.
1826 E. Irving Babylon II. viii. 282 I have been wrapt in wonder, and ravished with delight, in the study of it.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 226 You ravish men away From puny aches and petty pains.
1940 J. Buchan Memory Hold-the-Door 307 I have two landscapes in my mind which have always ravished my fancy.
1998 Decanter Jan. 49/3 As for vintages, those who adore the steely, mineral style of Chablis will be ravished by the 1996s.
5. To seize and appropriate as plunder or spoil; to seize upon or take away (a thing) forcibly or violently. Also figurative. Now archaic and rare.
a. transitive. With away or without adverbial or complement. Also occasionally intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > forcibly tear off or away
tear1297
aracec1315
arachec1315
ravisha1382
pullc1390
to draw offa1398
roota1398
ripa1400
to pull awayc1410
to rip upc1425
brit1578
arrest1593
to carry away1604
avulsea1765
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > sacking, raiding, or looting > sack, raid, or loot [verb (transitive)] > carry off as loot or plunder
skeckc1325
ravisha1382
ransackc1460
ravena1513
distruss1548
harry1579
rapine1580
sack1590
harrage1655
to walk off with1727
loot1847
jay-hawk1866
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) 3 Kings xx. 33 Hastili þey rauescheden [a1425 L.V. rauyschiden; L. rapuerunt] þe woord of his mouþ & seidyn, ‘þi broþer benedab lyueþ’.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Nahum ii. 9 Rauyshe ȝe syluer, rauyshe ȝe gold [L. diripite argentum, diripite aurum].
?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. pr. i. 23 Thow, ententyf and stille, ravysschedest [L. rapiebas] my wordes.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton B iij To be wyllyng for to dyspoyle and rauysshe hys neyghbours goodes.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Rawl.) (1974) 166 (MED) The comon wele of realme..is ravischid away by violence for defaute of iustice.
a1586 J. Stewart Poems (1913) 26 For dolor deip almaist he raidgeing deis Because ane maidin raueist hes his gloir.
c1600 in Balfour's Practicks (1754) 609 Gudis ravest as unlauchful recept aganis the peace.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Hunt. 52 Some Antiquaries are so jealous of their books, as if every hand which toucheth would ravish them.
1712 A. Pope Rape of Locke i, in Misc. Poems 358 He meditates the way, By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray.
1731 G. Medley tr. P. Kolb Present State Cape Good-Hope I. vi. 66 The Free Booters had us'd to ravish away their Lives and their Cattle.
1794 E. Burke Speech against W. Hastings in Wks. (1826) XV. 430 To steal an iniquitous judgment, which you dare not boldly ravish.
1915 M. Drake Ocean Sleuth ii. 19 Smike or myself had to mount guard over it till the tea hour came, or some accomplished thief would ravish it away.
b. transitive. With from, †into, †out of, †to, or indirect object expressing the person or place from or to which a thing is seized or stolen.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > forcibly or suddenly
reaveOE
bereavec1320
atreachc1325
ravisha1398
reach?a1400
to catch awayc1400
rendc1450
ravena1513
pull1530
despoila1533
snatch1597
reap1634
extort1785
to pounce away1821
erept1865
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 196v If þou dost þer on [sc. quicksilver] a scrupil of gold, it rauyschiþ in to it silf þe lightnesse þer of.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 7392 (MED) Þe fyfþe ys moche for to drede: To rauysh a womman here maydenhede [Fr. Tolir a femme sa virginite], Þat ys to say, a-ȝens here wylle.
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) 5198 Som love leful is and good; I mene not that which..ravysshith fro thee al thi wit.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 462 The sight of þat semely..rauysshed hir radly þe rest of hir sawle.
1563 N. Winȝet Wks. (1890) II. 16 We also..suld reuiss fra it, that mot proffet to the lyfe eternall.
1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver Courtlie Controuersie 5 A thousande discriptions, epitaphes, verses, riddles, and poesies..sufficient..to bind mens bodies with the cheines of their eies, rauishing from them all appetite of meate, drinke, or sleepe.
1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. J. de La Motte Aigron in tr. J. L. G. de Balzac Lett. sig. a2 The onely thing hee supposed to possess..was ravished from him.
a1652 R. Brome Queen & Concubine iii. xi. 73 in Five New Playes (1659) The Jewel that none but the cold hand of Death Could ravish from him.
1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour iv. 39 He came open mouth'd upon me, and would have ravished a kiss from me by main force.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 206 I..am not..oblig'd to ravish my Bread out of the Mouths of others.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa II. xxxi. 211 He even snatched..my struggling hand; and ravish'd it to his odious mouth.
1838 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Ferdinand & Isabella I. i. ii. 47 The crown was ravished from her posterity.
1885 R. Kipling in Pioneer 27 Jan. 5/2 The charms that shall capture and ravish the heart from my breast?
1930 C. Beaton Diary in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) iii. 22 A huge picture hat trimmed with full-blown roses ravished from her garden beds.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1636
v.a1325- blueringed octopus
- bluerinse
- bluerinse brigade
- bluerinse set
- bluerinse vote
- bluerinsed
- blues
- blues album
- blues and royals
- blues and twos
- blues ballad
- blues bar
- blues guitar
- blues guitarist
- blues lover
- blues lyrics
- blues music
- blues musician
- blues party
- blues piano
- blues player
- blues playing
- blues record
- blues revue
- blues riff