v.
Pronunciation: in- ' frinj
Function: verb
Inflected Form: in · fringed ; in · fring · ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin infringere, from Latin, to break, crush, from in- + frangere to break ― more at BREAK
Date: 1513
transitive verb
1 : to encroach upon in a way that violates law or the rights of another < infringe a patent>
2 obsolete : DEFEAT , FRUSTRATE
intransitive verb : ENCROACH ― used with on or upon < infringe on our rights>
synonyms see TRESPASS
– in · fring · er noun