The spelling of the word "doest violence" can be a bit confusing for some. The pronunciation of this phrase is /dʌst ˈvaɪələns/, with the "s" at the end of "doest" being pronounced as a "t" sound in this context. This is because "doest" is actually the archaic second person singular form of the verb "do" in Early Modern English. So, the proper way to spell this phrase would be "dost violence" instead. However, this archaic form of English is not commonly used in modern times.
The phrase "doest violence" is an archaic and somewhat formal expression, primarily found in older forms of English literature or religious texts. It combines the verb "doest," which is the second-person singular present form of "do," with the noun "violence." "Doest," derived from the Middle English word "doon," means to perform or cause an action. Violence, on the other hand, refers to the intentional use of physical force, power, or coercion to cause harm, injury, or damage. Therefore, "doest violence" can be understood as an archaic phrase that means to commit or engage in an act of violence.
However, it is worth mentioning that contemporary English typically uses the verb "commit" or equivalent expressions when referring to the perpetration of violence. "Doest violence" may seem outdated or unfamiliar in modern usage. It is essential to consider the historical context or stylistic choices whenever encountering this phrase in older texts. Overall, "doest violence" denotes the act of carrying out an aggressive or forceful action, especially with malicious intent or harmful consequences.
The phrase "doest violence" is a form of Middle English, which was spoken from the 12th to the late 15th centuries. The etymology of the phrase can be broken down as follows:
- "Doest" is the second-person singular present tense form of the verb "do" in Middle English. It is derived from the Old English word "dōst", meaning "do you", which comes from the Proto-Germanic word "dunst" meaning "do you" or "make you".
- "Violence" comes from the Old French word "violence", which was borrowed from the Latin word "violentia". In Latin, "violentia" meant "vehemence" or "force", derived from the adjective "violentus" meaning "vehement" or "forceful".