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Let's save the word rape for literal rape.

Why? Other words are not given such extreme consideration.

Likely derived from the Latin "rapio", which can also mean seize or carry off ( http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/wordz.pl?keyword=rapio ).

So, erm, seems reasonable, actually.

The meaning of a word used 1600 years ago in a society with a different culture and legal system does not change the plain meaning of a commonly-used word in English that has a specific meaning.

That word has, for better or worse, accrued additional, slightly less repugnant meanings--meanings which are commonly-used.

Additionally, it does very much make sense to use that word (repugnant meanings and all!) to underscore the powerlessness of those going up against the State in our modern legal system. Hell, if you end up in the pen because of the aforementioned proceedings, you may end up using the original word anyways.

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