— impingent , adj. — impinger , n. — impingement , n.
/im pinj"/ , v. , impinged, impinging .
v.i.
1. to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually fol. by on or upon ): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.
2. to encroach; infringe (usually fol. by on or upon ): to impinge on another's rights.
3. to strike; dash; collide (usually fol. by on, upon, or against ): rays of light impinging on the eye.
v.t.
4. Obs. to come into violent contact with.
[ 1525-35; impingere to strike against, drive at, equiv. to L im- IM- 1 + -pingere, comb. form of pangere to fasten, drive in, fix; see IMPACT ]