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impinge

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Impinge is defined as to hit, trespass or have an effect on something.

(verb)

An example of impinge is rain falling on a windshield.
An example of impinge is being in a person's personal space.

See impinge in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb impinged, impinging

1. to strike, hit, or dash (on, upon, or against something)
2. to touch (on or upon); have an effect: an idea that impinges on one's mind
to make inroads or encroach (on or upon the property or rights of another)

Origin: L impingere < in-, in + pangere, to strike: see fang

Related Forms:

impingement noun
impinger noun

See impinge in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb im·pinged, im·ping·ing, im·ping·es

verb, intransitive

To collide or strike: Sound waves impinge on the eardrum.
To encroach; trespass: Do not impinge on my privacy.

verb, transitive

To encroach upon: “One of a democratic government's continuing challenges is finding a way to protect . . . secrets without impinging the liberties that democracy exists to protect” (Christian Science Monitor).

Origin:

Origin: Latin impingere

Origin: : in-, against; see in-²

Origin: + pangere, to fasten; see pag- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: