infraction

/in'frækʃn/

Thân thiện

The driver received a ticket for a minor traffic infraction.

Definition

Noun: 1. A violation or breach of a law, rule, or agreement: An infraction is an act of breaking a law or rule, typically one that is considered less serious than a crime like a felony. It often refers to a minor offense. 2. An instance of infringing or transgressing: It can describe the act itself of overstepping a boundary or limit set by an authority.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:
  • The player received a penalty for a minor rules infraction. (The player was penalized for a small violation of the rules.)
  • Parking in a no-parking zone is a common traffic infraction. (This is a typical example of breaking a traffic law.)
• Formal/Legal Context:
  • The company was fined for an infraction of the safety regulations. (The company paid a fine for not following safety rules.)
  • A minor infraction of the contract terms may not lead to its termination. (A small breach of the contract might not result in it being canceled.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Legal Distinction: In many legal systems, an "infraction" is specifically a minor offense, often punishable by a fine rather than imprisonment, distinguishing it from more serious "misdemeanors" or "felonies."
  • In some jurisdictions, a speeding ticket is classified as an infraction, not a crime.
• "Infraction of": This is the standard prepositional phrase used.
  • This constitutes an infraction of the code of conduct.

Variants and Related Words

• Infringe (verb): To actively violate or break a rule or law.
  • To infringe on a copyright.
• Infringer (noun): A person or entity that commits an infraction.
• Infringement (noun): The action of infringing, often used interchangeably with "infraction," though sometimes "infringement" is used in contexts like intellectual property ().

Synonyms

• Violation: The act of breaking or failing to comply with a rule or formal agreement.
• Breach: An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.
• Transgression: An act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct.
• Offense: A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.

Antonyms

• Compliance: The action or fact of complying with a wish or command.
• Observance: The practice of observing the requirements of law, morality, or ritual.
• Obedience: Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Minor infraction: A very small or unimportant violation.
• Technical infraction: A violation of a formal or technical rule, often without malicious intent.
• To commit an infraction: The standard phrase for describing the act of violating a rule.
  • The driver committed an infraction by running the red light.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a crime less serious than a felony

Từ đồng nghĩa

• misdemeanor
• misdemeanour
• violation
• infringement