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engrain

 - 5 dictionary results

en⋅grain

  [en-greyn]
Use engrain in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), adjective
ingrain (defs. 1, 2).

in⋅grain

  [v. in-greyn; adj., n. in-greyn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to implant or fix deeply and firmly, as in the nature or mind.
–adjective
2. ingrained; firmly fixed.
3. (of fiber or yarn) dyed in a raw state, before being woven or knitted.
4. made of fiber or yarn so dyed: ingrain fabric.
5. (of carpets) made of ingrain yarn and so woven as to show a different pattern on each side; reversible.
–noun
6. yarn, wool, etc., dyed before manufacture.
7. an ingrain carpet.
Also, engrain (for defs. 1, 2).

Origin:
1760–70; orig. phrase (dyed) in grain (i.e., with kermes)

Synonyms:
1. infuse, inculcate, imbue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To engrain
en·grain   (ěn-grān')   
tr.v.   en·grained, en·grain·ing, en·grains
To ingrain.

[Middle English engreinen, to dye with cochineal or kermes, from Old French engrainer : en-, causative pref.; see en-1 + graine, grain; see grain.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

engrain 
M.E., originally "dyed in grain," from Fr. graine "seed of a plant," also "cochineal" (the source of the dye was thought to be berries), thus "fast-dyed." Later associated with grain in the sense of "the fiber of a thing."

ingrain 
1766, see engrain. Fig. use, of qualities, habits, etc., attested from 1851 (in ingrained).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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