encroach
[en-krohch]
- to advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits; make gradual inroads: A dictatorship of the majority is encroaching on the rights of the individual.
- to trespass upon the property, domain, or rights of another, especially stealthily or by gradual advances.
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Origin of encroach
Synonyms
See more synonyms for encroach on Thesaurus.com1, 2. See trespass.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for encroach
Contemporary Examples
In the east, the Chinese army continues periodically to encroach on Indian territory.
Any attempt to encroach on it, even by an iota, will ultimately lead to our enslavement by a federal tyranny.
How does this symbolize constraints on girls and women, and encroach on our right to be simply as we are, at any given moment?
Ashley Judd Slaps Media in the Face for Speculation Over Her ‘Puffy’ AppearanceAshley Judd
April 9, 2012
He got really mad when they started to encroach on his personal life.
Historical Examples
She thanks you for your indulgence, on which she will not encroach.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
The poor fellows have had enough of it; I must not encroach on the entire holiday.
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I (of II)Charles James Lever
But let us proceed quietly, and not encroach upon future events.
The Memoires of Casanova, CompleteJacques Casanova de Seingalt
He made no attempt to encroach upon the sovereignty of Mary.
The Reign of Mary TudorW. Llewelyn Williams.
And now I will encroach no longer on your time or good nature, Richard.
The History of Sir Richard CalmadyLucas Malet
encroach
- (often foll by on or upon) to intrude gradually, stealthily, or insidiously upon the rights, property, etc, of another
- to advance beyond the usual or proper limits
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French encrochier to seize, literally: fasten upon with hooks, from en- 1 + croc hook, of Germanic origin; see crook
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for encroach
v.
early 14c., "acquire, get," from Old French encrochier "seize, fasten on, hang on (to), cling (to); hang up, suspend," literally "to catch with a hook," from en- "in" (see en- (1)) + croc "hook," from Old Norse krokr "hook" (see crook). Meaning "seize wrongfully" is from c.1400. Sense of "trespass" is first recorded 1530s. Related: Encroached; encroaches; encroaching.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper