from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Impress \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).
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His heart, like an agate, with your print impressed.
--Shak.
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2. To produce by pressure, as a mark, stamp, image, etc.; to
imprint (a mark or figure upon something).
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3. Fig.: To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to
the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate.
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Impress the motives of persuasion upon our own
hearts till we feel the force of them. --I. Watts.
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4. [See {Imprest}, {Impress}, n., 5.] To take by force for
public service; as, to impress sailors or money.
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The second five thousand pounds impressed for the
service of the sick and wounded prisoners. --Evelyn.
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