In criminal law. An unlawful taking of a woman, or of an heir in ward. Rape. Ravishment de gard. IA Fr. An abolished writ which lay for a guardian by knight’s service or in socage, against a person who took from him the body of his ward. Fitzh. Nat Brev. 140 ; 12 Oar. II. c. 3. Ravishment of ward. In English law. The marriage of an infant ward without the consent of the guardian.