impress

IMPRESS', verb transitive [Latin impressum, from imprimo; in and premo, to press.] 1. To imprint; to stamp; to make a mark or figure on any thing by pressure; as, to impress coin with the figure of a man's head, or with that of any ox or sheep; to impress a figure on wax or clay. 2. To print, as books. 3. To mark; to indent. 4. To fix deep; as, to impress truth on the mind, or facts on the memory. Hence, to convict of sin. 5. To compel to enter into public service, as seamen; to seize and take into service by compulsion, as nurses in sickness. In this sense, we use press or impress indifferently. 6. To seize; to take for public service; as, to impress provisions. IM'PRESS, noun A mark or indentation, made by pressure. 1. The figure or image of any thing made by pressure; stamp; likeness. 2. Mark of distinction; stamp; character. God leaves us this general impress or character on the works of creation, that they were very good. 3. Device; motto. To describe emblazoned shields, IMPRESSes quaint-- 4. The act of compelling to enter public service. [See Press.]