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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Impress


IMPRESS', verb transitive [Latin impressum, from imprimo; in and premo, to press.]

1. To imprint; to stamp; to make a mark or figure on any thing by pressure; as, to impress coin with the figure of a man's head, or with that of any ox or sheep; to impress a figure on wax or clay.

2. To print, as books.

3. To mark; to indent.

4. To fix deep; as, to impress truth on the mind, or facts on the memory. Hence, to convict of sin.

5. To compel to enter into public service, as seamen; to seize and take into service by compulsion, as nurses in sickness. In this sense, we use press or impress indifferently.

6. To seize; to take for public service; as, to impress provisions.

IM'PRESS, noun A mark or indentation, made by pressure.

1. The figure or image of any thing made by pressure; stamp; likeness.

2. Mark of distinction; stamp; character.

God leaves us this general impress or character on the works of creation, that they were very good.

3. Device; motto.

To describe emblazoned shields,

IMPRESSes quaint--

4. The act of compelling to enter public service. [See Press.]