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infringe - 6 dictionary results

in⋅fringe

  [in-frinj] verb, -fringed, -fring⋅ing.
Use infringe in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
in⋅fring⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. break, disobey. 2. poach. See trespass.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To infringe
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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Infringe

In*fringe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Infringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Infringing.] [L. infringere; pref. in- in + frangere to break. See Fraction, and cf. Infract .]

1. To break; to violate; to transgress; to neglect to fulfill or obey; as, to infringe a law or contract.

If the first that did the edict infringe, Had answered for his deed. --Shak.

The peace . . . was infringed by Appius Claudius. --Golding.

2. To hinder; to destroy; as, to infringe efficacy; to infringe delight or power. [Obs.] --Hooker.

Infringe

In*fringe"\, v. i. 1. To break, violate, or transgress some contract, rule, or law; to injure; to offend.

2. To encroach; to trespass; -- followed by on or upon; as, to infringe upon the rights of another.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : infringe
Spanish: infringir, violar,
German: übertreten,
Japanese: 違反する
More Translations »

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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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 : ENCROACH —in·fring·er noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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