imprint

[im-print, im-print]

noun

1. a mark made by pressure; a mark or figure impressed or printed on something.

2. any impression or impressed effect.

   He left the imprint of his thought on all succeeding scholars.

3. Bibliography.

   1. the name of a book's publisher printed on the title page or elsewhere, usually with the place and date of publication.

   2. the statement of such information in a bibliographic description of a printed work.

   3. a name, title, or other designation by which all or certain specific books of a publisher are identified.

4. any marketing name used by a company or organization for a product line; brand or label.

5. the printer's name and address as indicated on any printed matter.

verb (used with object)

1. to impress (a quality, character, distinguishing mark, etc.).

2. to produce (a mark) on something by pressure.

3. to bestow, as a kiss.

4. to fix firmly on the mind, memory, etc.

5. Animal Behavior, Psychology.,  to acquire or establish by imprinting.

6. to make an imprint upon.

verb (used without object)

1. to make an impression; have an effect.

imprint

noun

1. a mark or impression produced by pressure, printing, or stamping

2. a characteristic mark or indication; stamp

   the imprint of great sadness on his face

3. the publisher's name and address, usually with the date of publication, in a book, pamphlet, etc

4. the printer's name and address on any printed matter

verb

1. to produce (a mark, impression, etc) on (a surface) by pressure, printing, or stamping

   to imprint a seal on wax

   to imprint wax with a seal

2. to establish firmly; impress; stamp

   to imprint the details on one's mind

3. (of young animals) to undergo the process of imprinting

Other Word Forms

• reimprint verb (used with object)
• unimprinted adjective
• imprinter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imprint¹

1325–75; im- ¹ + print; replacing Middle English empreynten < Middle French empreinter, derivative of empreinte, feminine past participle of empreindre < Latin imprimere to impress ¹

Example Sentences

Few composers have left a deeper imprint on Hollywood, or on the collective imagination of the people who fill the Bowl’s seats.

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According to lore, all those receivers had hands imprinted with the “Elway cross,” a lasting imprint from the football’s tip.

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To learn that this is Finley’s first L.A. show, a city he’s from, and where he and his family have such deep artistic roots and an imprint, feels like some cosmic oversight.

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Ross, a graduate of Yale with deep familial roots in L.A., presents imagery that captures “the physical and emotional imprints left on the space,” she writes.

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It was a loss Cooper was too young to fully understand, but it left an indelible emotional imprint, a hollow that never closed.

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Related Words

• engrave 
• etch 
• inscribe