† ˈrapinous, a. Obs.
[f. rapine n. + -ous, or ad. OF. rapineus, -eux (14th c. in Godef.).]
Given to rapine; rapacious.
| 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour F viij, He maketh the noble men to be rapynous & tyraunts. 1627 W. Sclater Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 277 What is that liuing other than vnjust, rapinous, and..iniurious? 1682 Lond. Gaz. No. 1735/3 The Rapinous hands and power of wicked..Men. |
b. transf. Carrying or sweeping away.
| 1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 505 One of these tides..will carry any Vessel backward,..the length of its rapinous current. |