(a) Physical force exercised injuriously, abusively, or with threatening or coercive intent, violence; violent behavior; also, a violent act or display of force, an instance of the hostile exercise of force; also, an injury resulting from violence, an outrage; also fig. and in fig. context; bi (in, with, with hondes of) ~, by brute force, forcibly; violently, brutally; also, through an injury [quot. c1443]; (b) physical force exercised benevolently, noble strength; manli ~; (c) physical force arising from a natural phenomenon, process, condition, etc., usu. destructive, fierceness, fury; also, virulence; with diminished force: ill effects, ?distress; with ref. to a substance, medicine, etc.: drastic or excessive efficacy, potency; (d) physical force imparting motion, usu. extreme, sudden, or violent; also, motion resulting from this force, vigorous or forceful motion, sharp or sudden motion; also fig. [quot. ?a1439]; bi (with) ~.

(a) Power or authority exercised abusively, corruptly, or unjustly, oppression; persecution, wrongful treatment; ?also, ignominy, insult [quot. a1398; ?error for vileinie n.]; bi ~; (b) the power exercised by personified fortune [perh. with ref. to sense 1.(d)]; (c) ?violation, transgression.

(a) Spiritual force, power, or energy; with ~, ardently, with zeal; also, in the manner of a spiritual assault or battle [quot. 1435]; don ~, to exert spiritual power so as to cause physical reactions, ?impose penitential or mystical suffering; (b) psychological or emotional force; vehemence, intensity, extremity; also, unrestrainedness, excess of emotion; (c) perceived intensity (of physical sensation).

(a) ?Error for violent adj. or vileins adj.; (b) ?error for vilenes n.