transgressed

Transgressed is the past tense and past participle of the verb transgress. It means to violate a law, rule, command, or boundary; to go beyond acceptable limits, or to err against moral or social norms.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin transgressus, from trans- “across” and gradi “to step.” The sense broadened from physical crossing to violation or wrongdoing, and later to violations of moral, social, or legal boundaries.

Usage: Transgressed appears in formal, legal, religious, or literary contexts. It is commonly used with nouns such as “the boundary was transgressed” or “the contractor transgressed the terms.” The related forms are transgression (noun), transgressive (adjective), and transgressor (person who transgresses).

Examples: The defendant transgressed the terms of the contract. In many sacred texts, the people transgressed against the covenant.

Notes: Transgressed often implies crossing a defined boundary and may carry a moral or ethical judgment. It can denote either intentional or inadvertent violation, though “transgression” generally connotes a more formal or serious offense.

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