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impose

Syllabification: (im·pose)
Pronunciation: /imˈpōz/
Translate impose | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of impose

verb

  • 1 [with object] force (something unwelcome or unfamiliar) to be accepted or put in place:the decision was theirs and was not imposed on them by others
  • forcibly put (a restriction) in place:sanctions imposed on South Africa
  • require (a duty, charge, or penalty) to be undertaken or paid.
  • (impose oneself) exert firm control over something:the director was unable to impose himself on the production
  • 2 [no object] take advantage of someone by demanding their attention or commitment:she realized that she had imposed on Miss Hatherby’s kindness
  • 3 [with object] Printing arrange (pages of type) so that they will be in the correct order after printing and folding.

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'impute'): from French imposer, from Latin imponere 'inflict, deceive' (from in- 'in, upon' + ponere 'put'), but influenced by impositus 'inflicted' and Old French poser 'to place'

impose in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of impose in the British & World English dictionary
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