impose Hear it!

impose definition

im·pose (im pōz)

transitive verb imposed -·posed′, imposing -·pos′·ing

  1. to place or set (a burden, tax, fine, etc. on or upon) as by authority
  2. to force (oneself, one's presence or will, etc.) on another or others without right or invitation; obtrude
  3. to pass off; palm off; foist, esp. by deception to impose false cures on unsuspecting patients
  4. to arrange (pages of type or plates) in a frame in the proper order of printing
  5. Archaic to place; put; deposit
  6. to lay (the hands) on, as in ordaining

Etymology: Fr, altered by assoc. with poser (see pose) < L imponere, to place upon < in-, on + ponere: see position

Related Forms:

impose Idioms

impose on

or impose upon
  1. Rare to make a strong impression on
  2. to take advantage of; put to some trouble or use unfairly for one's own benefit
  3. to cheat or defraud

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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