/encroach/
Verb.
Pronunciation and accent: ɛnkrəʊtʃ.
Etymology: from Old French encrochier (= to seize), which is analysed into en- (= prefix equivalent to in) + croc (= hook). Literally: to catch in a hook. Accroach and accroachment are also related to croc.
-) Preterite tense: encroached. Preterite participle: encroached.
-) Present participle: encroaching.
-) It is dated from the beginning of 1400.
Intransitive: 1. To commit an encroachment; to intrude or usurp upon the territory of another by gradual advances or stealthily (without the use of violence).
Synonyms: infringe, trench, usurp, trespass, intrude, invade.
Translation: invadir, in Spanish; empiéter, in French; sconfinare, in Italian.
"When was the invasion first reported?"
" The Russians have been always encroaching, and building forts on our frontier. This year they have come in greater force and a little farther than usual."
James Abbott… Narrative of a journey… 1843
-) With the preposition on (or upon) + noun of the territory upon which the encroacher intrudes:
Two farms had often been joined in one; some of them were untenanted, and encroached upon by their neighbours; some of the few houses that did exist were vacant, and some were tumbling down.
George James… The robber 1838
-) The object of the preposition on (or upon) may be the owner of the territory:
You would hardly believe how much the Hollanders have already daunted the Portuguese and Spaniards in these parts, especially in the Moluccas, where they daily encroach on the Spaniards, who are unable to withstand them, and are even in fear that they may shortly deprive them of the Philippine islands.
Robert Kerr… Voyages and Travels 1813
[…] this tribe having been greatly encroached on by the inhabitants of the plains, and pushed off among the mountains.
Walter Hamilton… Hindostan 1820
2. To intrude on something incorporeal pertaining to another person, or distinguishable as “not to be intruded upon”.
When the trustees perceived that their kindness was encroached upon, they represented to him the necessity of driving to some other place, but he rejected the invitation, and refused to stir an inch without remuneration.
The Visitor: Or, Monthly Instructor 1833
Do not encroach too far on my patience with your predications.
Catherine Frances… Mothers and daughters 1834
Yielding to the counsels of those about him, he refused, through a sentiment of mistaken pride, to accept the constitution tendered by the senate, accusing that body of encroaching upon his hereditary rights.
John Frost… Napoleon Bonaparte 1844
Although Ellen had by this time attained to the unwelcome conviction that she was not fully admitted into her husband's confidence, and although a natural, yet unfortunate timidity induced her to shrink from all appearance of encroaching on it…
C. Burdett… Walter Hamilton 1846
I did not intend to have encroached again upon your attention; but I cannot repress my indignation.
Edward Creasy… Memoirs… of Etonians 1850
[…] now you are encroaching on forbidden subjects.
Clara Cameron… Lights and shadows 1855
3. Metaphor: (the subject: a thing): to extend its limits upon those of another.
That the sea has encroached on some tracts of land, and retired from others, is certain.
James Playfair… A System of Geography 1808
The sea encroaches on the land.
Charles Alexander… A week at the Lizard 1848
[A family] will rise early,-between six and eight o'clock, -if a ball or a party of the preceding night has not encroached on the morning.
Charles Sealsfield… Austria as it is 1828
Even as I gazed, the rising clouds began to encroach on the western firmament, until only a narrow speck of sky, through which the declining sun shone out with a ghastly lustre was seen in that quarter of the horizon.
Graham’s Magazine 1841
-) Words derived from ENCROACH: encroacher, encroaching, encroachingly, encroachment.
