inviolate
/in'vaiəlit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Kept sacred or free from violation; untouched, especially by anything that harms or defiles: Describes something that remains pure, unbroken, or undisturbed, often because it is protected by law, custom, or respect.
- (Archaic) (Of a woman) remaining a virgin; chaste: An older, specific usage referring to physical virginity.
Usage
- The primary meaning describes abstract concepts (like rights, principles, or places) or physical objects that remain completely undisturbed and pure.
- The archaic meaning is very specific and rarely used in modern English outside of historical or literary contexts.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The ancient treaty remained inviolate for centuries. (The treaty was never broken or disrespected.)
- They entered the inviolate sanctuary of the temple. (They entered the temple's pure, untouched inner area.)
- (Archaic) The knight swore to protect the inviolate maiden. (The knight promised to protect the chaste, virgin woman.)
Advanced Usage
- "To hold/keep something inviolate": To protect something so that it remains completely untouched or unbroken.
- The constitution holds the right to free speech inviolate.
- "To remain/stand inviolate": To continue to exist in an untouched, pure state.
- Despite the war, the historic library stood inviolate.
Variants and Related Words
- Inviolable (adj): Secure against violation; incapable of being dishonored or broken. Often used for laws, oaths, or rights.
- An inviolable promise.
- Inviolacy (n): The state or quality of being inviolate.
- The inviolacy of the tomb was respected.
Synonyms
- Sacrosanct: Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
- Untouched: Not handled, used, or tasted; remaining in the original state.
- Intact: Not damaged or impaired in any way; complete.
- Unbroken: Not interrupted or disturbed; continuous.
Antonyms
- Violated: Treated with disrespect or broken (a law, promise, etc.).
- Desecrated: Treated with violent disrespect; profaned.
- Defiled: Made unclean or impure; sullied.
Adjective
- must be kept sacred
- (of a woman) having the hymen unbroken
- she was intact, virginal