to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion: He impressed us as a sincere young man.
2.
to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts: to impress the importance of honesty on a child.
3.
to urge, as something to be remembered or done: She impressed the need for action on them.
4.
to press (a thing) into or on something.
5.
to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something): The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.
6.
to produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint: The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.
7.
to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.
8.
to subject to or mark by pressure with something.
9.
to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.
10.
Electricity. to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.
–verb (used without object)
11.
to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself: a child's behavior intended to impress.
–noun
12.
the act of impressing.
13.
a mark made by or as by pressure; stamp; imprint.
14.
a distinctive character or effect imparted: writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.
[Origin: 1325–75; ME < L impressus ptp. of imprimere to press into or upon, impress, equiv. to im-im-1+ pressus ptp. of premere (comb. form -primere) to press1; see print]
To affect strongly, often favorably: wrote down whatever impressed me during the journey; was impressed by the child's sincerity. See Synonyms at affect1.
To produce or attempt to produce a vivid impression or image of: a scene that impressed itself on her memory; impresses the value of money on their children.
To mark or stamp with or as if with pressure: impressed a design on the hot wax.
To apply with pressure; press.
n.
(ĭm'prěs')
The act of impressing.
A mark or pattern produced by or as if by impressing. See Synonyms at impression.
A stamp or seal meant to be impressed.
[Middle English impressen, to imprint, from Old French empresser, from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere : in-, in; see in-2 + premere, to press; see per-4 in Indo-European roots.]
c.1374, "to apply with pressure, make a permanent image in," from L. impressus, pp. of imprimere "press into or upon, stamp," from in- "into" + premere "to press" (see press (v.1)). Fig. sense of "have a strong effect on the mind or heart" is from 1413. Sense of "to levy for military service" is from 1596, a meaning more from press (v.2). Impressionable formed 1836 on Fr. model, Impressive was originally (1593) "capable of being easily impressed;" sense of "making an impression on the mind or senses" is from 1775.
Im*pre"sa\, n. [It. See Emprise, and cf. Impress, n., 4.] (Her.) A device on a shield or seal, or used as a bookplate or the like. [Written also imprese and impress.] My impresa to your lordship; a swain Flying to a laurel for shelter. --J. Webster.
Im*pre"sa\, n. [It. See Emprise, and cf. Impress, n., 4.] (Her.) A device on a shield or seal, or used as a bookplate or the like. [Written also imprese and impress.] My impresa to your lordship; a swain Flying to a laurel for shelter. --J. Webster.
Im*press"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impressed; p. pr. & vb. n. Impressing.] [L. impressus, p. p. of imprimere to impress; pref. im- in, on + premere to press. See Press to squeeze, and cf. Imprint.]1. To press, stamp, or print something in or upon; to mark by pressure, or as by pressure; to imprint (that which bears the impression). His heart, like an agate, with your print impressed. --Shak. 2. To produce by pressure, as a mark, stamp, image, etc.; to imprint (a mark or figure upon something). 3. Fig.: To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate. Impress the motives of persuasion upon our own hearts till we feel the force of them. --I. Watts. 4. [See Imprest, Impress, n., 5.] To take by force for public service; as, to impress sailors or money. The second five thousand pounds impressed for the service of the sick and wounded prisoners. --Evelyn.
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