imbrue

[im-broo]

verb (used with object)

imbrued, imbruing 

1. to stain.

   He refused to imbrue his hands with the blood of more killing.

2. to impregnate or imbue (usually followed by with orin ).

   They are imbrued with the follies of youth.

imbrue

/ ɪmˈbruː /

verb

1. to stain, esp with blood

2. to permeate or impregnate

Other Word Forms

• imbruement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbrue¹

1400–50; late Middle English enbrewen < Middle French embreuver to cause to drink in, soak, drench < Vulgar Latin *imbiberāre, derivative of Latin imbibere to imbibe

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbrue¹

C15: from Old French embreuver, from Latin imbibere _imbibe

Example Sentences

Happily for us, we have now a ruler who loves her subjects, whose sway is the very opposite of that despotic tyrant’s rule, who loved to imbrue his hands in the blood of contemporary princes. 

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The country to be passed through for many miles was full of blood thirsty tories, who, on every occasion that offered, imbrued their hands in the blood of the whigs.

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With hands imbrued in blood I have performed the arduous duties of my profession in fourteen battles, yet I never could witness these heartless exhibitions without disgust, and I am sorry to say contempt.

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I think there are few besides the leaders in the South, who would be willing to imbrue their hands in the blood of their brethren.”

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They rose in arms; they broke open the doors of the prison; they pulled out the two brothers, and a thousand hands vied who should first be imbrued in their blood.

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Related Words

• absorb 
• bathe 
• dip 
• drink 
• drown 
• flood 
• immerse 
• marinate 
• moisten 
• penetrate 
• saturate 
• soften 
• steep 
• submerge 
• wash