transgress

English

Etymology

From Middle English transgressen, from Old French transgresser and Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredī.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɹænzˈɡɹɛs/

Verb

1. (transitive) To exceed or overstep some limit or boundary.
   • (Can we date this quote by Dryden and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     surpassing common faith, transgressing nature's law

2. (transitive) To act in violation of some law.
   • (Can we date this quote by John Milton and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     For man will hearken to his glozing lies, / And easily transgress the sole command.

3. (intransitive, construed with against) To commit an offense; to sin.
   • (Can we date this quote by Beaumont and Fletcher and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)

     Why 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.

Synonyms

• (to exceed or overstep): forpass, surpass, transcend; see also Thesaurus:transcend

Related terms

• transgression
• transgressive
• transgressor

Translations

to exceed or overstep some limit or boundary

• Egyptian: (thj)
• French: franchir (fr), transgresser (fr)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Ngazidja Comorian: ushilia, ushia

to act in violation of some law

• Czech: přestoupit (cs)
• French: transgresser (fr)
• Italian: trasgredire (it)
• Portuguese: transgredir (pt)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Romanian: greși (ro)
• Russian: преступа́ть (ru) (prestupátʹ)
• Scottish Gaelic: peacaich
• Spanish: transgredir (es)

to commit an offense, to sin

• Egyptian: (thj)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• French: pécher (fr)
• Latin: praevaricō