encroachment

EnglishEdit

encroachment (usually uncountable, plural encroachments)

An entry into a place or area that was previously uncommon; an advance beyond former borders; intrusion; incursion.
An intrusion upon another's possessions or rights; infringement.
- 1788, Publius [pseudonym; James Madison], “Number XXXXVII”, in The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, […] , volume II, New York, N.Y.: […] J. and A. M‘Lean, […], OCLC 642792893:
  The Legislative department derives a superiority in our Governments from other circumstances. Its constitutional powers being at once more extensive, and less susceptible of precise limits, it can, with the greater facility, mask, under complicated and indirect measures, the encroachments which it makes on the coördinate departments.
- 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter V, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), OCLC 630079698, pages 53–54:
  Ah! my brother, we do well to watch our birthright jealously; the least invasion on the meanest peasant, the slightest encroachment of the powerful, are not matters to be neglected—such are the first steps of tyranny.
That which is gained by such unlawful intrusion.
(law) An unlawful diminution of the possessions of another.

entry into a place or area that was previously uncommon

intrusion upon another’s possessions or rights

that which is gained by unlawful intrusion

unlawful diminution