I. ˈtrespəs, -eˌspas, -eˌspaa(ə)s, -eˌspais, -eˌspȧs noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English trespas, from Old French, passage, crossing, trespass, from trespasser to go across, pass through
1.
a. : a violation of moral or social ethics : offense , transgression
forgive us our trespasses — Book of Com. Prayer
especially : sin
the fatal trespass done by Eve — John Milton
b. : an unwarranted infringement
never worried about their … trespass on generosity — Audrey Barker
2.
a.
(1) : an unlawful invasion of the person, property, or rights of another that is committed with actual violence or violence implied by law : a tort involving actual or implied violence
(2) : the action for injuries done by such an act
b. : trespass quare clausum fregit
Synonyms: see breach
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English trespassen, from Middle French trespasser, from Old French, to go across, pass through, trespass, from tres across, through (from Latin trans ) + passer to pass — more at trans- , pass
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to commit an offense : err , sin
his errors of taste, when he trespasses … never consist in taking a subject too seriously or too lightly — T.S.Eliot
scrupulous fairness even to those who trespass against him — S.L.A.Marshall
b. : to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion : cross an established boundary line
trespass on an angler's casting area
trespass on a busy executive's time
not their duty to train the infants … but merely to see that they do not trespass upon adult attention by outraging the rules of etiquette — Margaret Mead
felt the ambassador had trespassed on domestic affairs — Time
2. : to commit a trespass ; especially : to enter unlawfully upon the land of another
transitive verb
: violate
trespass the bounds of good taste
trespassed a doctor's office — W.G.Eliasberg
Synonyms:
encroach , entrench , infringe , invade : trespass applies to a usually unwarranted, unlawful, or offensive intrusion
farmers bothered by hunters trespassing on their fields
have trespassed on your hospitality too long — Dorothy Sayers
encroach may apply to an invasion of another's territory or usurpation of his privileges, rights, or possessions, often accomplished gradually or stealthily
leading his tribesmen in defense of their homes against encroaching white settlers — Current Biography
that the Argentine militarists would seek to encroach on the territories of neighboring states — Vera M. Dean
their work is closely related but it is not synonymous; neither should ever encroach on the field of prerogatives of the other — H.H.Arnold & I.C.Eaker
entrench may suggest an aggressive position and determination to maintain control
the ultimate result was that the railroad entrenched itself so strongly in the state's political field — American Guide Series: New Jersey
spokesmen for the coal industry have expressed concern that the unregulated producers may cut their prices sharply in strategic areas to entrench themselves at the expense of coal — Walter Goodman
infringe applies to any degree of encroachment that can be considered a clear breach of law, ethics, equity, or rights
a well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed — U.S. Constitution
was very critical whenever the military power seemed to infringe on civil rights — W.K.Boyd
invade may indicate entrance into another's sphere or territory with hostile intent and injurious effect
in the years after the Civil War, it was not only the carpetbaggers who had invaded the South — Oscar Handlin
no good comes from attempts to invade authority and responsibility — Dean Acheson
she'll probably insult you for invading what she calls their privacy — Hamilton Basso