Trespass

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: trÄ•s'pÉ™s, IPA: /ˈtɹɛspÉ™s/
• US enPR: trÄ•s'pÇŽs, IPA: /ˈtɹɛspæs/

Origin

Verb: From Old French trespasser ("to go across or over, transgress"), from tres- ("across, over") + passer ("to pass").

Noun: From Old French trespas ("passage; offense against the law"), from trespasser.

Full definition of trespass

Noun

1. sin 1290Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us —
2. (legal) Any of various torts involving interference to another's enjoyment of his property, especially the act of being present on another's land without lawful excuse.

Verb

1. (intransitive, now rare) To commit an offence; to sin.
• Bible, 2 Chron. xxviii. 22In the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To offend against, to wrong (someone).
• 1526, Bible, tr. William Tyndale, Matthew VI:And forgeve us oure trespases, even as we forgeve them which trespas us.
3. (intransitive) To go too far; to put someone to inconvenience by demand or importunity; to intrude.to trespass upon the time or patience of another
4. (legal) To enter someone else's property illegally.
5. (obsolete) To pass beyond a limit or boundary; hence, to depart; to go.
• Ld. BernersSoon after this, noble Robert de Bruce ... trespassed out of this uncertain world.

Derived terms

• trespasser

Anagrams

• sparsest