Violence
Actual harm upon people, groups, and institutions. With or without guns. (see also War)
How We Say It
vฤซยทษยทlษns
Where It Comes From
Latin violentia โ vehemence, force. From violentus โ vehement, fierce. From vis โ force, power. Related to violate โ both involve force exceeding limits. The root connects to power and transgression simultaneously.
How It's Been Used
The definition of violence is itself political. Physical violence is rarely contested as violence; structural violence (poverty, inequality, denial of healthcare) is contested. The phrase 'violence begets violence' is used both to condemn protest and to explain rebellion. Who gets to name violence shapes who gets held accountable.