Impinge Meaning and Definition
Impinge
Pronunciation
/ɪmˈpɪndʒ/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To make contact or collide with something, typically with a slight or glancing blow; to come into contact with something or someone.
Examples
- The bird’s wing impinged on the side of the building.
- The boat’s hull impinged on the rocky shore.
Etymology
From Old French impinger, from Latin impingere, from in- + pingingere (to strike forcibly).
Usage Notes
Impinge is often used in scientific and technical contexts to describe physical interactions between objects. It can also be used in figurative language to describe non-physical interactions, such as the “impingement” of an idea on one’s mind.
Cultural References
Impinge is a common theme in science fiction and fantasy, particularly in descriptions of spacecraft or other vehicles making contact with alien surfaces.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Impinge on someone’s nerves
- Feel the impingement of something
Related Words or Phrases
- Collision
- Contact
- Touch
Collocations
- Impinge on something
- Impinge against something
- Impinge into something
Frequency of Use
Impinge is a relatively rare word, but its usage has increased in recent years due to the growing importance of scientific and technical writing.
Common Misspellings
- Impinge
- Impain
- Impign