transgression Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
    evildoing.
    • the boy was punished for the transgressions of his father
  2. noun the spreading of the sea over land as evidenced by the deposition of marine strata over terrestrial strata
  3. noun the action of going beyond or overstepping some boundary or limit

WordNet

Trans*gres"sion noun
Etymology
L. transgressio a going across, going over, transgression of the law, from transgredi, transgressus, to step across, go over; trans over, across + gradi to step, walk: cf. F. transgression. See Grade.
Definitions
  1. The act of transgressing, or of passing over or beyond any law, civil or moral; the violation of a law or known principle of rectitude; breach of command; fault; offense; crime; sin.
    Forgive thy people . . . all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee. I Kings viii. 50.
    What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass On his transgression, death denounced that day ? Milton.
    The transgression is in the stealer. Shak.
    Syn. -- Fault; offense; crime; infringement; misdemeanor; misdeed; affront; sin.

Webster 1913