trespass

[ tres-puhs, -pas ]

noun

1. 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.
2. an encroachment or intrusion.
3. an offense, sin, or wrong.

verb (used without object)

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

trespass

/ ˈtrɛspəs /

verb

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

noun

1. 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
2. an intrusion on another's privacy or preserves
3. a sin or offence

Derived Forms

• ˈtrespasser, noun

Other Words From

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

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

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

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.

Example Sentences

Guiver admitted sexual assault by penetration, assault, intentional strangulation, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and threats to kill.

From BBC

The Broome Magistrates Court heard both parties and agreed the children's behaviour had constituted "trespass and criminal damage", but all were under the age of criminal responsibility, which is 10 in Western Australia.

From BBC

But those behind the study never asked participants to trespass or go near where pesticides were being applied, Sellen said.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to the count for injunctive relief — which was filed against all the defendants — counts of conversion, trespass to chattel and battery were filed against Belanski.

From Los Angeles Times

“This could have all been avoided if the Miami Dade State Attorneys Office reviewed the evidence with an unbiased view. They went so far as to have no trespass signs put up after the fact...luckily, we took pictures within hours of the arrest showing no signs,” Cohen said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• infraction
• misdemeanor