[im-pinj] 
verb, -pinged, -ping⋅ing.| 1. | to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually fol. by on or upon): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life. |
| 2. | to encroach; infringe (usually fol. by on or upon): to impinge on another's rights. |
| 3. | to strike; dash; collide (usually fol. by on, upon, or against): rays of light impinging on the eye. |
| 4. | Obsolete. to come into violent contact with. |
| im·pinge (ĭm-pĭnj') v. im·pinged, im·ping·ing, im·ping·es v. intr.
To encroach upon: "One of a democratic government's continuing challenges is finding a way to protect . . . secrets without impinging the liberties that democracy exists to protect" (Christian Science Monitor). [Latin impingere : in-, against; see in-2 + pangere, to fasten; see pag- in Indo-European roots.] im·pinge'ment n., im·ping'er n. |
