infringe
Definitions
To break or fail to obey a law, agreement, or right.
违反（法律、协议）；侵犯（权利）。
To encroach on or limit something, especially someone's freedom (often 'infringe on/upon').
侵犯、限制（尤指自由，常用 infringe on/upon）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (in/into) + -fringe (from frangere, break) = 'to break in on.' To infringe is to break into territory that isn't yours — a right, a patent, a freedom. Note the spelling: it keeps the present stem -fring- (from frangere), while its sibling infraction took the past stem -fract- (from fractus).
Root fract still carries 13 more wordsUsage Guide
Two patterns, slightly different feel. 'infringe a right/patent/rule' (transitive) — formal, legal: infringe copyright. 'infringe on/upon something' — more common for abstract encroachment: infringe on someone's freedom/privacy. Note the silent spelling trap: -fringe is pronounced /frɪndʒ/, same as the unrelated word 'fringe' (edge).
Example Sentences
- 1.
Copying the design would infringe their patent.
- 2.
The new law may infringe on citizens' privacy.
- 3.
They argued the curfew infringed their basic freedoms.