infringement
UK: /ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt/ | US: /ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt/
n. the action of breaking a law, agreement, or right
n. an act that interferes with or violates something (e.g., copyright infringement)
infringement = in<not/against> + fringe<break> + ment<noun suffix>
- in-: Prefix from Latin in-, meaning "not" or "against."
- fringe: Root from Latin frangere (to break), evolving into Old French fringier (to break).
- -ment: Suffix from Latin -mentum, forming nouns indicating an action or result.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin infringere (to break or weaken), combining in- (against) and frangere (to break). It entered English via Old French enfringier, retaining the core idea of violating limits or boundaries. The suffix -ment solidified its noun form, emphasizing the act or consequence of violation.
The company was fined for copyright infringement.
Any infringement of the rules will result in penalties.
The court ruled the policy an infringement on personal freedoms.
Patent infringement lawsuits can be costly for startups.
Protesters argued the law was an infringement of their rights.