What does "inroad" mean?

Inroad: The entrance of an enemy into a country with purposes of hostility; a sudden or desultory incursion or invasion; raid; encroachment. The loss of Shrewsbury exposed all North Wales to the daily inroads of the enemy. Clarendon. With perpetual inroads to alarm, Though inaccessible, his fatal throne. Milton. See Invasion.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To make an inroad into; to invade. [Obs.] The Saracens . . . conquered Spain, inroaded Aquitaine. Fuller.

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