Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Impose?

\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.