[syn: encroach, infringe, impinge]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Infringe \In*fringe"\, v. i.
1. To break, violate, or transgress some contract, rule, or
law; to injure; to offend.
[1913 Webster]
2. To encroach; to trespass; -- followed by on or upon; as,
to infringe upon the rights of another.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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, right, or contract.
[1913 Webster]
If the first that did the edict infringe,
Had answered for his deed. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The peace . . . was infringed by Appius Claudius.
--Golding.
[1913 Webster]
2. To hinder; to destroy; as, to infringe efficacy; to
infringe delight or power. [Obs.] --Hooker.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
infringe
v 1: go against, as of rules and laws; "He ran afoul of the
law"; "This behavior conflicts with our rules" [syn:
conflict, run afoul, infringe, contravene]
2: advance beyond the usual limit [syn: encroach, infringe,
impinge]