Trespass
/ˈtrɛspəs/ (noun), /trəsˈpæs/ (verb)noun
To enter someone’s property without permission or to commit an offense against a person or rule.
Did you know?In the traditional Lord’s Prayer, “trespasses” translates a Greek word meaning missteps or offenses, turning a physical boundary violation into a spiritual one.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*penth-
“To tread or go; a proposed ancient root associated with pathways and movement.”
Classical Latin
Latin
passus
“A step, pace, or measured distance.”
Late Latin
Latin
passare
“To step, pass, or move across.”
11th–12th Century
Old French
trespasser
“To pass beyond, cross over, or go beyond an allowed limit; tres- meant “beyond”.”
12th–13th Century
Anglo-French
trespas
“A transgression, offense, or wrongful crossing.”
Middle English
English
trespassen
“To offend, sin, or violate a rule or boundary.”
Modern English
English
trespass
“To enter property unlawfully or commit an offense.”