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effraction

break-in

noun eh-frak-SYOHN Rare

Also means

burglary

Usage Note

Effraction is a legal and everyday term for unlawful entry, as in entrer par effraction ('to break in'). The phrase par effraction is the standard way to say 'by breaking and entering.' It is related to the verb enfreindre (to infringe) via Latin frangere (to break).

Examples

"Ils sont entrés par effraction la nuit."

Natural Translation

They broke in during the night.

Literal Translation

They entered by break-in during the night.

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