Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Incur
In-cur′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Incurred
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Incurring
.] 1.
To meet or fall in with, as something inconvenient, harmful, or onerous; to put one’s self in the way of; to expose one's self to; to become liable or subject to; to bring down upon one's self; to encounter; to contract;
as, to
incur
debt, danger, displeasure, penalty, responsibility, etc.I know not what I shall
Having no warrant.
incur
to pass it,Having no warrant.
Shakespeare
2.
To render liable or subject to; to occasion.
[Obs.]
Lest you
incur
me much more damage in my fame than you have done me pleasure in preserving my life. Chapman.
In-cur′
,Verb.
I.
To pass; to enter.
[Obs.]
Light is discerned by itself because by itself it
incurs
into the eye. South.
Webster 1828 Edition
Incur
INCUR'
,Verb.
T.
1.
Literally, to run against; hence, to become liable to; to become subject to. Thus, a thief incurs the punishment of the law by the act of stealing, before he is convicted, and we have all incurred the penalties of God's law.2.
To bring on; as, to incur a debt; to incur guilt; to incur the displeasure of God; to incur blame or censure.3.
To occur; to meet; to press on.Definition 2025
incur
incur
English
Alternative forms
Verb
incur (third-person singular simple present incurs, present participle incurring, simple past and past participle incurred)
- (transitive) To bring upon oneself or expose oneself to, especially something inconvenient, harmful, or onerous; to become liable or subject to.
- 1891, Henry Graham Dakyns (translator), The works of Xenophon, "The Hellenica", Book 5, Chapter 3,
- [T]he master in his wrath may easily incur worse evil himself than he inflicts—[...]
- 1910, Nicholas Machiavelli, translated by Ninian Hill Thomson, The Prince, Chapter XIX,
- And here it is to be noted that hatred is incurred as well on account of good actions as of bad;
- 1891, Henry Graham Dakyns (translator), The works of Xenophon, "The Hellenica", Book 5, Chapter 3,
- (chiefly law) To render somebody liable or subject to.
- 1861, Francis Colburn Adams, An Outcast, Chapter VII,
- The least neglect of duty will incur[...] the penalty of thirty-nine well laid on in the morning.
- 1861, Francis Colburn Adams, An Outcast, Chapter VII,
- (obsolete, transitive) To enter or pass into.
- (obsolete, intransitive) To fall within a period or scope; to occur; to run into danger.
- (transitive) To render liable or subject to; to occasion.
- Chapman
- Lest you incur me much more damage in my fame than you have done me pleasure in preserving my life.
- Chapman
Synonyms
- (To bring down or expose oneself to): encounter, contract (debts, etc.)
- (render liable or subject to): occasion
Translations
to expose oneself to something inconvenient
to render liable or subject to; to occasion
obsolete: to enter into
obsolete: to fall within a period or scope; to occur; to run into danger