[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

encroachment \encroach"ment\, n.
   1. the act of entering gradually or silently upon the rights
      or possessions of another; unlawful intrusion.
      1913 webster

            an unconstitutional encroachment of military power
            on the civil establishment.           --bancroft.
      1913 webster

   2. that which is taken by encroaching on another.
      1913 webster

   3. law an unlawful diminution of the possessions of
      another.
      1913 webster

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

encroachment
     n 1: any entry into an area not previously occupied; "an invasion
          of tourists"; "an invasion of locusts" syn: invasion,
           intrusion
     2: entry to another's property without right or permission
        syn: trespass, violation, intrusion, usurpation
     3: influencing strongly; "they resented the impingement of
        american values on european culture" syn: impingement,
        impact
see also:
invasion intrusion trespass violation usurpation impingement 
impact 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

35 moby thesaurus words for "encroachment":
   adoption, appropriation, arrogation, assumption, entrance,
   entrenchment, impingement, imposition, incursion, infiltration,
   influx, infraction, infringement, injection, inroad, insinuation,
   interference, interjection, interloping, interposition,
   interposure, interruption, intervention, intrusion, invasion,
   irruption, obtrusion, overstepping, playing god, seizure,
   transgression, trespass, trespassing, unlawful entry, usurpation

[4] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

encroachment. an unlawful gaining upon the right or possession of another; 
as, when a man sets his fence beyond his line; in this case the proper 
remedy for the party injured is an action of ejectment, or an action of 
trespass. 

Encroachment >> E Words
Encroachment, definition of term: Encroachment
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