outrage

Definition

An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity.

Etymology

From Middle English outrage, from Old French outrage, oultrage (“excess”), from Vulgar Latin *ultrāticum ("a going beyond"), derived from Latin ultrā (“beyond”). Later reanalysed as out- + rage, whence the contemporary pronunciation, though neither of these is etymologically related. The verb is from Middle English outragen, from Old French oultragier.

Example Sentences

• "There the cause of death was soon ascertained ; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument, in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom.[…]"
• "The Lords acknowledge the great and happy Providence of Almighty God, in the preventing of ſo horrid an Outrage, which might have endangered the Lives of the Chief Magiſtrates, and alſo hazarded the Spoil of the whole City of London."