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Infringe

 - 4 dictionary results

in⋅fringe

[in-frinj] verb, -fringed, -fring⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress: to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.
–verb (used without object)
2. to encroach or trespass (usually fol. by on or upon): Don't infringe on his privacy.

Origin:
1525–35; < L infringere to break, weaken, equiv. to in- in- 2 + -fringere, comb. form of frangere to break


in⋅fring⋅er, noun


1. break, disobey. 2. poach. See trespass.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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in·fringe   (ĭn-frĭnj')   
v.   in·fringed, in·fring·ing, in·fring·es

v.   tr.
  1. To transgress or exceed the limits of; violate: infringe a contract; infringe a patent.

  2. Obsolete To defeat; invalidate.

v.   intr.
To encroach on someone or something; engage in trespassing: an increased workload that infringed on his personal life.

[Latin īnfringere, to destroy : in-, intensive pref.; see in-2 + frangere, to break; see bhreg- in Indo-European roots.]
in·fring'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

infringe 
c.1467, from L. infringere "to damage, break off," from in- "in" + frangere "to break" (see fraction). Meaning of "encroach" first recorded c.1760.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: in·fringe
Pronunciation: in-'frinj
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: in·fringed; in·fring·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin infringere, from Latin, to break, crush, from in- in + frangere to break
transitive verb : to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another infringed —U.S. Constitution amendment II>; especially : to violate a holder's rights under (a copyright, patent, trademark, or trade name) intransitive verb : ENCROACHin·fring·er noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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