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press2

Pronunciation: /prɛs/

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Definition of press

verb

[with object]

1 (press someone/thing into) put someone or something to a specified use, especially as a temporary or makeshift measure:she was pressed into service as an interpreter

2 historical force (a man) to enlist in the army or navy.

noun

historical

a forcible enlistment of men, especially for the navy.

Origin:

late 16th century: alteration (by association with press¹) of obsolete prest 'pay given on enlistment, enlistment by such payment', from Old French prest 'loan, advance pay', based on Latin praestare 'provide'

press in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of press in the US English dictionary

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