Transgress

Origin

• From Latin transgressum, past participle of transgredi.

Full definition of transgress

Verb

1. (transitive) To exceed or overstep some limit or boundary.
• Drydensurpassing common faith, transgressing nature's law
2. (transitive) To act in violation of some law.
• MiltonFor man will hearken to his glozing lies,
  And easily transgress the sole command.
3. (intransitive, construed with against) To commit an offense; to sin.
• Beaumont and FletcherWhy give you peace to this imperate beast
  That hath so long transgressed you?
4. (intransitive, of the sea) To spread over land along a shoreline; to inundate.

Related terms

• transgression
• transgressive
• transgressor