Obs. Also 6 violensie, -cye, 6–7 -cie. [ad. L. violentia: see VIOLENCE sb.] Violence, in various senses.
1545. Raynald, Byrth Mankynde, Y v. Accordynge to the aptitude or feoblenesse in resistence of the place receauyng it: and the force or violencye of nature … sendynge it.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & Fly, xix. 25. My carte wheele catchth holde of the corner poaste Against my will, and by violencie, Asunder crussheth it.
1559–66. Hist. Estate Scot., in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844), 66. To resist the violencie of their adversaries.
1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, i. (1664), 13. Such fare, as may banish and expel contagion and violencie from nature.
b. In pl. Cf. VIOLENCE sb. 2.
c. 1630. Sanderson, Serm. (1681), II. 258. Although the text speaks expresly only of death; yet … all other violencies and injuries are intended.
1632. Sir T. Hawkins, trans. Mathieu’s Unhappy Prosperitie, 199. Of all his violencies, the most execrable was the death of the Architect, who skilfully re-edified, and repaired the great portall of Rome.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Ductor, III. ii. rule 3 § 2. He may do what is in his natural capacity to avoid these violencies and extremities of nature.
