imbue definition | Dictionary.com

im⋅bue

[im-byoo]

–verb (used with object), -bued, -bu⋅ing.

1.	to impregnate or inspire, as with feelings, opinions, etc.: The new political leader was imbued with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

2.	to saturate or impregnate with moisture, color, etc.

3.	to imbrue.

Origin:
1545–55; < L imbuere to wet, drench

Related forms:

im⋅bue⋅ment, noun

Synonyms:
1. charge, infect, fire. 2. permeate, infuse, tincture, soak.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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im·bue (ĭm-byōō')

tr.v. im·bued, im·bu·ing, im·bues

To inspire or influence thoroughly; pervade: work imbued with the revolutionary spirit. See Synonyms at charge.
To permeate or saturate.
To stain or dye deeply.

[Middle English enbuen, imbeuen, from Latin imbuere, to moisten, stain.]

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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Imbue

Im*bue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imbued; p. pr. & vb. n. Imbuing.] [L. imbuere; pref. im- in + perh. a disused simple word akin to L. bibere to drink. Cf. Imbibe.]

1. To tinge deeply; to dye; to cause to absorb; as, clothes thoroughly imbued with black.

2. To tincture deply; to cause to become impressed or penetrated; as, to imbue the minds of youth with good principles.

Thy words with grace divine Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety. --Milton.

imbue

c.1550, "to cause to absorb" (feelings, opinions, etc.), from M.Fr. imbu (infl. by L. imbutus, pp. of imbuere "moisten, stain"), earlier embu, pp. of emboire, from L. imbibere "drink in, soak in."

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