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lently upon the rights or possessions of another; unlawful intrusion. An unconstitutional encroachment of military power on the civil establishment. Bancroft.

An encroachment; usurpation. [Obs.] Bailey.

as, which, by its interlaced running rootstocks, binds the sand together, and resists the encroachment of the waves. -- Beach wagon, a light open wagon with two or more seats. -- Raised beach, an accumulation of water-worn stones, gravel, sand, and other shore deposits, above the present level of wave action, whether…

Encroachment. [Obs.] South.

By way of encroachment.

; subject only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and defended by them from encroachments upon natural or acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.

or reputation; to decline. -- To stand one's ground, to stand firm; to resist attack or encroachment. Atterbury. -- To take the ground to touch bottom or become stranded; -- said of a ship.

An encroachment on a patent, copyright, or other special privilege; a trespass.

a country with purposes of hostility; a sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; raid; encroachment. The loss of Shrewsbury exposed all North Wales to the daily inroads of the enemy. Clarendon. With perpetual inroads to alarm, Though inaccessible, his fatal throne. Milton.

An encroachment or infringement. The slight intrenchment upon individual freedom. Southey.

f forcing in; especially, the forcing (one's self) into a place without right or welcome; encroachment. Why this intrusion Were not my orders that I should be private Addison.

The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.

Wrongful encroachment upon another's property; esp., any encroachment upon, or inclosure of, that which should be common or public, as highways, rivers, harbors, forts, etc. [Written also pourpresture.]

To resist or oppose effectually; as, to repel an assault, an encroachment, or an argument. [He] gently repelled their entreaties. Hawthorne.

A wall, or embankment, to resist encroachments of the sea.

thority of a lord; dominion. O'Neal never had any seigniory over that country but what by encroachment he got upon the English. Spenser.

forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper. The parish churches on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurped. Evelyn. And now the Spirits of the Mind Are busy with poor Peter Bell; Upon the rights of visual sense Usurping,…