Definitions for: Impose


[v] impose something unpleasant; "The principal visited his rage on the students"
[v] impose and collect; "levy a fine"
[v] compel or impose; "Social relations impose courtesy"



Webster (1913) Definition: Im*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Imposed; p. pr. & vb.
n. Imposing.] [F. imposer; pref. im- in + poser to place.
See Pose, v. t.]
1. To lay on; to set or place; to put; to deposit.

Cakes of salt and barley [she] did impose Within a
wicker basket. --Chapman.

2. To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation,
command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict;
as, to impose a toll or tribute.

What fates impose, that men must needs abide.
--Shak.

Death is the penalty imposed. --Milton.

Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. --Waller.

3. (Eccl.) To lay on, as the hands, in the religious rites of
confirmation and ordination.

4. (Print.) To arrange in proper order on a table of stone or
metal and lock up in a chase for printing; -- said of
columns or pages of type, forms, etc.


Im*pose", v. i.
To practice trick or deception.

To impose on or upon, to pass or put a trick on; to
delude. ``He imposes on himself, and mistakes words for
things.'' --Locke.


Im*pose", n.
A command; injunction. [Obs.] --Shak.

Synonyms: bring down, enforce, inflict, levy, visit

See Also: bill, carry, charge, clamp, dictate, distrain, execute, fine, foist, give, intrude, lay, mulct, obtrude, order, prescribe, reimpose, tax, tithe

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