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impressment

[im-pres-muh nt]
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noun
  1. the act of impressing people or property into public service or use.
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Origin of impressment

First recorded in 1780–90; impress2 + -ment
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for impressment

Historical Examples

  • The subjects of impressment and blockades were not embraced in it.

    Hidden Treasures

    Harry A. Lewis

  • The articles on maritime rights and impressment were set aside.

    Albert Gallatin

    John Austin Stevens

  • An illustration still closer to the point is that of impressment.

    The Subjection of Women

    John Stuart Mill

  • The most serious difficulty in the way of negotiation had been the question of impressment.

    James Madison

    Sydney Howard Gay

  • This was the British defense for impressment of seamen on American ships.

British Dictionary definitions for impressment

impressment

noun
  1. the commandeering or conscription of things or men into government service
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impressment

n.

1796, "act of impressing into service," from impress (v.) + -ment.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper