purpresture

[per-pres-cher]

noun

Law.

1. the wrongful enclosure of or intrusion upon lands, waters, or other property rightfully belonging to the public at large.

Word History and Origins

Origin of purpresture¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French pourpres ( t ) ure, porpresure enclosure, occupied space, equivalent to pourprise, porprise (past participle of purprendre to seize upon, encroach upon, enclose, equivalent to pur- por- pro- ¹ + prendre to take < Latin prehendere; prehension ) + -ure -ure

Example Sentences

The offence of “purpresture” may be cited as an example.

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