Probably akin to bia (through the idea of vital activity); force -- violence.
see GREEK bia
1. strength, whether of body or of mind: Homer and subsequent writers.
2. strength in violent action, force: μετά βίας by the use of force, with violence, Acts 5:26; Acts 24:7 (Rec.); shock τῶν κυμάτων, Acts 27:41 (R G, but Tr text brackets; others omit τῶν κυμάτων); διά τήν βίαν τοῦ ὄχλου, the crowd pressing on so violently, Acts 21:35. (Synonym: see δύναμις, at the end.)