Also 6–7 trans(e)gresse. [app. a. F. transgresser (14th c. in Godef., Compl.), f. L. transgress-, ppl. stem of transgredī to step across, f. trans across + gradī to step.]
1. trans. To go beyond the bounds or limits prescribed by (a law, command, etc.); to break, violate, infringe, contravene, trespass against.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (1531), 98 b. So they transgresse & breke the commaundement of god.
1550. Crowley, Epigr., 757. Wyl ye transegresse my lawes?
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 217. That he should suffer for transgressing themperours commaundement.
1660. Trial Regic., 126. That he that knew the Law so well should so much transgresse it.
1713. Steele, Englishman, No. 50. 324. Too great an Inclination one way betrayed him to transgress the Rules of Charity.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., xxii. Other points of etiquette were transgressed in their turn, after the repast was over.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., II. xxxvii. 32. Where a statute passed a State legislature is alleged to transgress the Constitution of the State.
b. absol., or intr. (const. against): To break a law or command; to trespass, offend, sin.
1526. Tindale, 2 John 9. Whosoever transgresseth and bydeth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
1535. Coverdale, Neh. i. 8. Yf ye transgresse, then wil I scater you abrode amonge the nacions.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. i. 260. I would not marry her, though she were indowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgrest.
a. 1699. Lady Halkett, Autobiog. (1875), 12. I did not transgrese against my Mother.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 50. That the two states should unite against a third which transgressed, was a great source of security.
† c. trans. To offend against (a person); to disobey. Obs. rare.
a. 1619. Fletcher, Bonduca, IV. ii. I never Blasphemed ’em, uncle, nor transgrest my parents. Ibid. (a. 1625), Wom. Pleased, III. i. You are too Royal to me; To me that have so foolishly transgress’d you.
2. trans. To go or pass beyond (any limit or bounds).
a. 1619. [see transgressed below].
1641. Wilkins, Math. Magick, II. vi. (1648), 197. He advises that we should not … transgresse the bounds of nature.
1686. Plot, Staffordsh., 322. Nor have these limits of human life been less transgresst by Men … than they have by women.
a. 1700. Dryden, Ovid’s Metam., xv. Pythag. Philos., 669. Hard mouthed coursers … Apt to run riot, and transgress the goal.
1829. Lytton, Devereux, I. i. A man never known before to transgress the very slowest of all possible walks.
† b. intr. (a) To go beyond limits; to trespass (on). (b) To digress. Obs.
1662. Gerbier, Princ., 22. I shall not spend time, and transgresse on the Readers patience, concerning the making of Clay, and burning of Bricks.
1689. trans. Buchanan’s De Jure Regni apud Scotos, 14. Let us return from whence we have transgressed.
Hence Transgressed ppl. a. (in quot. a. 1619, that has gone beyond ordinary limits, excessive); Transgressing vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1535. Coverdale, Josh. xxii. 22. Yf this be a transgressynge or trespacynge agaynst the Lorde.
1579. W. Wilkinson, Confut. Familye of Loue, b ij. She shall be guiltles of the transgressing.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., II. ii. § 1 (1622), 198. So large…, and transgrest in her proportion.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., xiv. § 8. 217. Any one who hath suffered the punishment of the transgressed Law.
1803. Evening Post (N.Y.), 22 July, 2/4. Maintaining among his [Schinderhannes’] associates, nearly 200 in number a severe discipline, and punishing even with death such of them as transgressed their voluntary submission to his controul.
a. 1812. McLean, Comm. Hebr. (1847), I. 329. The punishment inflicted on his transgressing seed.
1860. Deseret News, 11 Jan., 4/4. They are transgressing upon the rights and disturbing the peace of those who do not wish to indulge in amusements which would disgrace the heathen.
1907. Blackw. Mag., Feb., 177/1. He brought suits against transgressing shipmasters.
