impinge

[ im-pinj ]
/ ɪmˈpɪndʒ /

verb (used without object), im·pinged, im·ping·ing.

to make an impression; have an effect or impact (usually followed by on or upon): to impinge upon the imagination; social pressures that impinge upon one's daily life.
to encroach; infringe (usually followed by on or upon): to impinge on another's rights.
to strike; dash; collide (usually followed by on, upon, or against): rays of light impinging on the eye.

verb (used with object), im·pinged, im·ping·ing.

Obsolete. to come into violent contact with.

Origin of impinge

1525–35; < Medieval Latin impingere to strike against, drive at, equivalent to Latin im- im-1 + -pingere, combining form of pangere to fasten, drive in, fix; see impact

OTHER WORDS FROM impinge

im·ping·ent, adjective im·ping·er, noun im·pinge·ment, noun un·im·ping·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impinge

infringe impinge

Example sentences from the Web for impingement

British Dictionary definitions for impingement

impinge
/ (ɪmˈpɪndʒ) /

verb

(intr; usually foll by on or upon) to encroach or infringe; trespass to impinge on someone's time
(intr; usually foll by on, against, or upon) to collide (with); strike

Derived forms of impinge

impingement, noun impinger, noun

Word Origin for impinge

C16: from Latin impingere to drive at, dash against, from pangere to fasten, drive in