ENCROACH

encroach, infringe, impinge

(verb) advance beyond the usual limit

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

encroach (third-person singular simple present encroaches, present participle encroaching, simple past and past participle encroached)

(transitive, obsolete) to seize, appropriate

(intransitive) to intrude unrightfully on someone else’s rights or territory

(intransitive) to advance gradually beyond due limits

Noun

encroach (plural encroaches)

(rare) Encroachment.

Anagrams

• Cochrane, charneco

Source: Wiktionary


En*croach", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Encroached; p. pr. & vb. n. Encroaching.] Etym: [OF. encrochier to perch, prop., to hook, fasten a hook (perh. confused with acrochier, F. accrocher, to hook, get hold of, E. accroach); pref. en- (L. in) + F. croc hook. See Crook, and cf. Accroach.]

Definition: To enter by gradual steps or by stealth into the possessions or rights of another; to trespass; to intrude; to trench; -- commonly with on or upon; as, to encroach on a neighbor; to encroach on the highway. No sense, faculty, or member must encroach upon or interfere with the duty and office of another. South. Superstition, . . . a creeping and encroaching evil. Hooker. Exclude the encroaching cattle from thy ground. Dryden.

Syn.

– To intrude; trench; infringe; invade; trespass.

En*croach", n.

Definition: Encroachment. [Obs.] South.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; ā€œa critical readingā€; ā€œa critical dissertationā€; ā€œa critical analysis of Melville’s writingsā€


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You can overdose on coffee if you drink about 30 cups in a brief period to get close to a lethal dosage of caffeine.

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