infringement
UK[ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt]US[ɪnˈfrɪndʒmənt]
n
the action of breaking a law or rule, or of doing something that limits someone's rights or freedom.
n
an instance of breaking a law, rule, or right.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
fringe
ment
in
into, in, on, upon
fringe
to break
ment
Etymology
the word "infringement" traces its lineage to the latin verb frangere, meaning "to break". the prefix in- intensifies this action, giving the latin compound infringere the sense of "to break into, to weaken, to violate". this verb passed into english via old french, retaining its core legal and figurative meaning of breaking a boundary or rule. the suffix -ment, also of latin origin through french, was added to form the noun, concretizing the action into a state or instance of violation, thus completing the journey from the physical act of breaking to the abstract concept of a legal or ethical breach.
Analysis
Structure: in + fringe + ment
- in: latin origin, a prefix meaning "into, in, on, upon".
- fringe: from latin fringere, a variant of frangere meaning "to break".
- ment: latin origin via french, a suffix forming nouns expressing the action or result of a verb.
Examples
the company was sued for copyright infringement.
parking in this area is an infringement of local bylaws.
the new policy was seen as an infringement on personal privacy.