infract

[ in-frakt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to break, violate, or infringe (a law, commitment, etc.).

infract

/ ɪnˈfrækt /

verb

1. tr to violate or break (a law, an agreement, etc)

Derived Forms

• inˈfraction, noun
• inˈfractor, noun

Other Words From

• in·fractor noun
• unin·fracted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infract¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin infrāctus, past participle of infringere “to break, bend, weaken,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + frag- (variant stem of frangere “to break”) + -tus past participle suffix; akin to break. See in- ², infringe, frangible

Word History and Origins

Origin of infract¹

C18: from Latin infractus broken off, from infringere; see infringe

Example Sentences

“A few weeks later, they searched my cell, they confiscated the book, and they infracted me for having the book that they gave me,” Wright said.

From The Guardian

“Governments pay a lot of attention to the risk of being infracted because it is very expensive and it is not brilliant for your reputation,” she said.

From The Guardian

It's a fixture that inverts the stereotypical differences between north and south, and proves that opposites infract.

From The Guardian

These feudal tenures were established in law; woe to the tenant who presumed to infract them!

From Project Gutenberg

There was a retributive justice for all those who infracted the rules of the game.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breach
• conflict with
• defy
• disobey
• hinder
• impugn
• infringe
• interfere
• negate
• overstep
• repudiate
• transgress
• violate