infringe

American  

[in-frinj] / ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb (used with object)

infringed, infringing

1. to commit a breach or infraction of; violate or transgress.

   to infringe a copyright; to infringe a rule.

   Synonyms:

   break, disobey

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verb (used without object)

infringed, infringing

1. to encroach or trespass (usually followed by on orupon ).

   Don't infringe on his privacy.

   Synonyms:

   poach

infringe British  

/ ɪnˈfrɪndʒ /

verb

1. (tr) to violate or break (a law, an agreement, etc)

2. (intr; foll by on or upon) to encroach or trespass

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Related Words

See trespass.

Other Word Forms

• infringement
  noun
• infringer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of infringe

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin infringere “to break, weaken,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -fringere, combining form of frangere “to break”; akin to break

Explanation

When you infringe on someone's space, time, or rights, you're getting involved in a way that is not cool. That's why, when you violate a copyright, you're said to infringe upon it. Infringe is almost always used with the prepositions "on" or "upon," as in, "if you infringe on my rights, I'll sue you." Nobody knows why that's the case. Our language is full of rules and traditions that just are the way they are. We call these phrases "idiomatic." To infringe "on" or "upon" something is one of those. You don't infringe "into" someone's conversation. You infringe "upon" it. Case closed.

Example Sentences

Infringe, in-frinj′, v.t. to violate, esp. law: to neglect to obey.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Infringe not the rules of decorum, mighty descendant of Puru.

From Sakoontala or the Lost Ring An Indian Drama by Monier-Williams, Monier, Sir

Infringe upon his right, come suddenly upon him, and then, indeed, there was a danger to all saving his master.

From The Night Horseman by Brand, Max

Related Words

• breach
• contravene
• disobey
• encroach
• impose
• intrude
• meddle
• offend
• trespass