Outrage

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈaÊŠtɹeɪdÍ¡Ê’/

Origin

From Middle English and Old French oltrage ("excess"), from Late Latin *ultragium or *ultraticum ("a going beyond") and from Latin ultra ("beyond"); rather than from out and rage. The verb is from Old French oltragier.

Full definition of outrage

Noun

1. An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity.
• 1905, w, w:The Case of Miss Elliott Chapter 1, “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. â€¦â€
2. An offensive, immoral or indecent act.
3. The resentful anger aroused by such acts.
4. (obsolete) A destructive rampage."by the outrage and fury of the river Effra" (from an old description of flood damage).

Verb

1. (transitive) To cause or commit an outrage upon; to treat with violence or abuse.
• AtterburyBase and insolent minds outrage men when they have hope of doing it without a return.
• BroomeThis interview outrages all decency.
2. (archaic, transitive) To violate; to rape (a female).
3. (obsolete, transitive) To rage in excess of.

Related terms

• outrageous