infraction
/in'frækʃn/
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.
Noun
-
a crime less serious than a felony
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