transgress
verb/tɹænzˈɡɹɛs/
Etymology From Middle English transgressen, from Old French transgresser and Latin transgressus, past participle of transgredior.
1
To exceed or overstep some limit or boundary.
- surpassing common faith, transgressing nature's law1700, [John] Dryden, “Theodore and Honoria, from Boccace”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
- They sometimes transgressed colonial boundaries, forming border communities with Native Americans and escaped black slaves.2006, Matt Wray, Not Quite White, page 17:
2
To act in violation of some law.
- For man will hearken to his glozing lies, And easily transgress the sole command.1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
- There were some young men who transgressed the ḥerem and danced with foreign women [i.e. non-relatives] and forbidden women.2024, David Golinkin, “Is Mixed Dancing Really Forbidden At Weddings?”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 4, page 240:
3
Construed with against To commit an offense; to sin.
- Why give you peace to this untemperate beast That hath so long transgressed you?c. 1608–1611, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, “The Maid’s Tragedy”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
4
Of the sea To spread over land along a shoreline; to inundate.
- Derived terms
- intransgressible, transgressable, transgressingly, untransgressed
- Related terms
- transgressible, transgression, transgressive, transgressor