ingrain
[ verb in-greyn; adjective, noun in-greyn ]
/ verb ɪnˈgreɪn; adjective, noun ˈɪnˌgreɪn /
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verb (used with object)
to implant or fix deeply and firmly, as in the nature or mind.
adjective
noun
yarn, wool, etc., dyed before manufacture.
an ingrain carpet.
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Also en·grain [en-greyn] /ɛnˈgreɪn/ (for defs. 1, 2) .
Origin of ingrain
First recorded in 1760–70; originally phrase (dyed) in grain (i.e., with kermes)
Words nearby ingrain
in good stead, in good time, ingot, ingot iron, ingraft, ingrain, ingrained, Ingram, ingrate, ingratiate, ingratiating
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ingrain
British Dictionary definitions for ingrain
ingrain
engrain
verb (ɪnˈɡreɪn) (tr)
to impress deeply on the mind or nature; instil
archaic to dye into the fibre of (a fabric)
adjective (ˈɪnˌɡreɪn)
variants of ingrained
(of woven or knitted articles, esp rugs and carpets) made of dyed yarn or of fibre that is dyed before being spun into yarn
noun (ˈɪnˌɡreɪn)
- a carpet made from ingrained yarn
- such yarn
Word Origin for ingrain
C18: from the phrase dyed in grain dyed with kermes through the fibre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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