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impose

 - 3 dictionary results

im⋅pose

  [im-pohz] verb, -posed, -pos⋅ing.
Use impose in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.: to impose taxes.
2. to put or set by or as if by authority: to impose one's personal preference on others.
3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively: He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
5. Printing. to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
7. Archaic. to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
8. Obsolete. to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
–verb (used without object)
9. to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
10. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others: Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
11. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
—Verb phrase
12. impose on or upon,
a. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
b. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
c. to defraud; cheat; deceive: A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public.
Origin:
1475–85; late ME < MF imposer, equiv. to im- im- 1 + poser to pose 1 ; see also pose 2

Related forms:
im⋅pos⋅a⋅ble, adjective
im⋅pos⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
3. force, foist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To impose
im·pose   (ĭm-pōz')   
v.   im·posed, im·pos·ing, im·pos·es

v.   tr.

  1. To establish or apply as compulsory; levy: impose a tax.

  2. To apply or make prevail by or as if by authority: impose a peace settlement. See Synonyms at dictate.

  3. To obtrude or force (oneself, for example) on another or others.

  4. Printing To arrange (type or plates) on an imposing stone.

  5. To offer or circulate fraudulently; pass off: imposed a fraud on consumers.

v.   intr.
To take unfair advantage: You are always imposing on their generosity.

[Middle English imposen, from Old French imposer, alteration (influenced by poser, to put, place) of Latin impōnere, to place upon : in-, on; see in-2 + pōnere, to place; see apo- in Indo-European roots.]
im·pos'er n.
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

impose 
1484, "to lay (a crime, etc.) to the account of," from M.Fr. imposer, from in- "into" + poser "put, place" (see pose). Sense of "to lay on as a burden" first recorded 1581.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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