impinge

[im-pinj]

verb (used without object)

impinged, impinging 

1. to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.

2. to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to impinge on another's rights.

3. to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, oragainst ).

   rays of light impinging on the eye.

verb (used with object)

impinged, impinging 

1. Obsolete.,  to come into violent contact with.

impinge

/ ɪmˈpɪndʒ /

verb

1. (intr; usually foll by on or upon) to encroach or infringe; trespass

   to impinge on someone's time

2. (intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon) to collide (with); strike

Other Word Forms

• impingent adjective
• impinger noun
• impingement noun
• unimpinging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin impingere “to strike against, drive at,” equivalent to Latin im- prefix meaning “in” ( im- ¹ ) + -pingere, combining form of pangere “to fasten, drive in, fix”; impact

Word History and Origins

Origin of impinge¹

C16: from Latin impingere to drive at, dash against, from pangere to fasten, drive in

Example Sentences

However, to allow the declaration element of Massa's case to proceed "comes too close in my view to impinging on the right of the FIA to govern its own affairs", the judge said.

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The court order blocking deployment of the National Guard "improperly impinges on the president's authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property," Sauer added.

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"All it will do is impinge further on the freedoms of law-abiding Brits."

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Human rights advocates fear the new policy will impinge on civil rights.

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She really believed that she was seeking consensus, tolerant of all perspectives as long as they didn’t impinge on her beliefs, the origins of which are poignantly related later in the play.

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Related Words

• encroach 
• infringe 
• intrude