View synonyms for trespass

trespass

[ tres-puhs, -pas ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Law.
1. an unlawful act causing injury to the person, property, or rights of another, committed with force or violence, actual or implied.
2. a wrongful entry upon the lands of another.
3. the action to recover damages for such an injury.
an encroachment or intrusion.
an offense, sin, or wrong.

verb (used without object)

Law. to commit a trespass.
to encroach on a person's privacy, time, etc.; infringe (usually followed by on or upon ).
to commit a transgression or offense; transgress; offend; sin.

trespass

/ ˈtrɛspəs /

verb

often foll byon or upon to go or intrude (on the property, privacy, or preserves of another) with no right or permission
law to commit trespass, esp to enter wrongfully upon land belonging to another
archaic.
often foll by against to sin or transgress

noun

law
1. any unlawful act committed with force or violence, actual or implied, which causes injury to another person, his property, or his rights
2. a wrongful entry upon another's land
3. an action to recover damages for such injury or wrongful entry
an intrusion on another's privacy or preserves
a sin or offence

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Derived Forms

ˈtrespasser, noun

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Other Words From

trespass·er noun
non·trespass noun
un·trespassed adjective
un·trespass·ing adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trespass¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (noun) Middle English trespas “transgression, offense,” from Old French, derivative of trespasser, equivalent to tres- (from Latin trāns- trans- ) + passer “to pass” ( pass ); (verb) Middle English trespassen, derivative of the noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trespass¹

C13: from Old French trespas a passage, from trespasser to pass through, from tres- trans- + passer , ultimately from Latin passus a pace ¹

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Synonym Study

Trespass , encroach , infringe , intrude imply overstepping boundaries and assuming possession of others' property or crowding onto the right of others. To trespass is to pass unlawfully within the boundaries of another's property: Hunters trespass on a farmer's fields. To encroach is to creep, gradually and often stealthily, upon territory, rights, or privileges, so that a footing is imperceptibly established: The sea slowly encroached upon the land. To infringe is to break in upon or invade rights, customs, or the like, by violating or disregarding them: to infringe upon a patent. To intrude is to thrust oneself into the presence of a person or into places or circumstances where one is not welcome: to intrude into a private conversation.

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Example Sentences

A man was electrocuted Sunday as he was apparently trespassing on hospital property in Reseda, according to officials.

From Los Angeles Times

Daniel Day, 29, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has been charged with causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site after climbing onto the clock tower, the Metropolitan Police said.

From BBC

When workers attempted to stay behind, management called L.A. police, and officers eventually arrived to tell employees they faced trespass charges if they remained.

From Los Angeles Times

Maryland State Police said that the trio were charged with trespassing and obstruction, and that Lasota and Zajko were additionally charged with weapons violations.

From BBC

Houghton shattered the custom of gleaning as a right, reclassifying it as trespass.

From Salon

Related Words

treponemiasis tress

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