invasion
/in'veiʤn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of entering a place, area, or country by force, especially with an army: This is the primary meaning, referring to a military attack and occupation.
- The entry or spread of something harmful or unwanted into a place where it is not normally found: This can refer to things like diseases, pests, or even large numbers of people arriving suddenly.
- An intrusion or violation of something, such as privacy or rights: This meaning focuses on an unwelcome interference.
Examples of Usage
Military Context:
- The country prepared its defenses against a possible invasion from the north.
- The history book detailed the Roman invasion of Britain.
Medical/Biological Context:
- The biopsy showed an invasion of cancerous cells into the healthy tissue.
- Doctors work to prevent the bacterial invasion of the wound.
General/Figurative Context:
- The quiet town experienced an annual invasion of tourists every summer.
- Filing personal details online can lead to an invasion of privacy.
Advanced Usage
"An invasion of privacy": A common phrase describing a situation where someone's personal life or space is intruded upon without permission.
- The journalist was accused of an invasion of privacy for publishing the photos.
"Cultural invasion": Refers to the widespread influence of one culture on another, often seen as overwhelming or negative.
- Some see the popularity of global fast-food chains as a form of cultural invasion.
Variants and Related Words
Invade (verb): To enter by force in order to conquer or occupy; to enter in large numbers; to intrude upon.
- The army decided to invade at dawn.
- Fans invaded the pitch after the match.
Invasive (adjective):
- Tending to spread aggressively, especially in a medical context (e.g., invasive surgery).
- Intruding on someone's space or privacy (e.g., invasive questions).
- (Of plants or animals) spreading rapidly in a new environment and causing harm (e.g., an invasive species).
Invader (noun): A person or group that invades.
- The invaders were eventually driven from the city.
Synonyms
- Incursion: A sudden, brief, and often small-scale invasion or attack.
- Infiltration: The act of entering or gaining access gradually or secretly.
- Encroachment: A gradual advance beyond usual or acceptable limits.
- Occupation: The control of a country or area by a foreign military force.
Related Phrases
- "Force of invasion": The military strength used in an invasion.
- "Beachhead": A defended position on a beach taken from the enemy by landing forces, from which an attack can be launched (a key part of a military invasion).
Related Idioms
- "The calm before the invasion": A period of quiet or inactivity immediately before a major, disruptive event. (A variation of "the calm before the storm").
- The empty streets felt like the calm before the invasion of festival-goers.
Noun
- (pathology) the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body
- the tumor's invasion of surrounding structures
- any entry into an area not previously occupied
- an invasion of tourists
- an invasion of locusts
- the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder