verb (used with object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.
- to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion: He impressed us as a sincere young man.
- to fix deeply or firmly on the mind or memory, as ideas or facts: to impress the importance of honesty on a child.
- to urge, as something to be remembered or done: She impressed the need for action on them.
- to press (a thing) into or on something.
- to impose a particular characteristic or quality upon (something): The painter impressed his love of garish colors upon the landscape.
- to produce (a mark, figure, etc.) by pressure; stamp; imprint: The king impressed his seal on the melted wax.
- to apply with pressure, so as to leave a mark.
- to subject to or mark by pressure with something.
- to furnish with a mark, figure, etc., by or as if by stamping.
- Electricity. to produce (a voltage) or cause (a voltage) to appear or be produced on a conductor, circuit, etc.
verb (used without object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.
- to create a favorable impression; draw attention to oneself: a child’s behavior intended to impress.
noun
- the act of impressing.
- a mark made by or as by pressure; stamp; imprint.
- a distinctive character or effect imparted: writings that bear the impress of a strong personality.
verb (used with object), im·pressed or (Archaic) im·prest; im·pres·sing.
- to press or force into public service, as sailors.
- to seize or take for public use.
- to take or persuade into service by forceful arguments: The neighbors were impressed into helping the family move.
noun
verb (ɪmˈprɛs) (tr)
- to make an impression on; have a strong, lasting, or favourable effect onI am impressed by your work
- to produce (an imprint, etc) by pressure in or on (something)to impress a seal in wax; to impress wax with a seal
- (often foll by on) to stress (something to a person); urge; emphasizeto impress the danger of a situation on someone
- to exert pressure on; press
- electronics to apply (a voltage) to a circuit or device
noun (ˈɪmprɛs)
- the act or an instance of impressing
- a mark, imprint, or effect produced by impressing
verb (ɪmˈprɛs)
- to commandeer or coerce (men or things) into government service; press-gang
noun (ˈɪmprɛs)
- the act of commandeering or coercing into government service; impressment
early 15c., “pressed or forced upon” (the mind), past participle adjective from impress (v.).
late 14c., “have a strong effect on the mind or heart,” from Latin impressus, past participle of imprimere “press into or upon, stamp,” from assimilated form of in- “into, in, on, upon” (see in- (2)) + premere “to press” (see press (v.1)). Literal sense of “to apply with pressure, make a permanent image in, indent, imprint” is from early 15c. in English. Sense of “to levy for military service” is from 1590s, a meaning more from press (v.2). Related: Impressed; impressing.
“act of impressing,” also “characteristic mark,” 1590s, from impress (v.).