impregnate

[im-preg-neyt, im-preg-neyt, im-preg-nit, -neyt]

verb (used with object)

impregnated, impregnating 

1. to make pregnant; cause to be with child or young.

2. to fertilize.

3. to cause to be permeated or saturated with a substance.

   To relieve cold and flu symptoms, impregnate a handkerchief with oils of eucalyptus and mint and inhale its scent.

   Synonyms: penetrate, infuse, permeate

4. to fill the interstices, openings, or cells of (a fine network, or the like) with a substance.

   The stainless steel housing contains a ceramic honeycomb impregnated with platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

5. to infuse or imbue with some quality or element.

   Picasso’s later paintings are impregnated with a certain melancholy.

   The air was pleasantly impregnated with the odor of pines.

adjective

1. impregnated.

impregnate

verb

1. to saturate, soak, or infuse

   to impregnate a cloth with detergent

2. to imbue or permeate; pervade

3. to cause to conceive; make pregnant

4. to fertilize (an ovum)

5. to make (land, soil, etc) fruitful

adjective

1. pregnant or fertilized

Other Word Forms

• impregnation noun
• impregnator noun
• impregnatory adjective
• reimpregnate verb (used with object)
• reimpregnation noun
• self-impregnating adjective
• self-impregnation noun
• self-impregnator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin impraegnātus, past participle of impraegnāre “to fertilize, impregnate,” equivalent to im- im- ¹ ( def. ) + praegn-, stem of praegnās, variant of praegnāns (stem praegnant-) “pregnant, with child” + -ātus past participle suffix; pregnant ¹ ( def. ), -ate ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of impregnate¹

C17: from Late Latin impraegnāre to make pregnant, from Latin im- _in- ² + praegnans _pregnant

Related Words

• drench 
• fertilize 
• inseminate 
• permeate 
• saturate 
• suffuse