Dictionary
im•pose
Pronunciation: (im-pōz'), [key]
—v., -posed, -pos•ing.
—
v.t.
1. to lay on or set as something to be borne, endured, obeyed, fulfilled, paid, etc.:
to impose taxes.
2. to put or set by or as if by authority:
to impose one's personal preference on others.
3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.
4. to pass or palm off fraudulently or deceptively:
He imposed his pretentious books on the public.
5. Print.to lay (type pages, plates, etc.) in proper order on an imposing stone or the like and secure in a chase for printing.
6. to lay on or inflict, as a penalty.
7. Archaic.to put or place on something, or in a particular place.
8. Obs.to lay on (the hands) ceremonially, as in confirmation or ordination.
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v.i.
1. to make an impression on the mind; impose one's or its authority or influence.
2. to obtrude oneself or one's requirements, as upon others:
Are you sure my request doesn't impose?
3. to presume, as upon patience or good nature.
4. impose on or upon,
a. to thrust oneself offensively upon others; intrude.
b. to take unfair advantage of; misuse (influence, friendship, etc.).
c. to defraud; cheat; deceive:
A study recently showed the shocking number of confidence men that impose on the public. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
